BAGHDAD – A suicide bomber blew herself up yesterday among Shia pilgrims on the outskirts of Iraq’s capital, killing at least 41 people in the latest attack in a violent run-up to next month’s election.
Iraq is trying to leave behind years of warfare set off by the 2003 US invasion as it moves to cement security gains made in the last two years, prepare for a US withdrawal and revamp an oil sector that gives Iraq nearly all of its revenues.
Shia gatherings however remain a frequent target for Sunni Islamists such as al-Qaeda, seeking to reignite the sectarian slaughter that peaked in 2006 to 2007, while recent months have also seen major co-ordinated assaults by suicide bombers on Baghdad.
An interior ministry source and a police official said 41 people had been killed and 106 wounded in yesterday’s attack in a tent where pilgrims on an arduous religious trek are provided with food and drink.
“People were serving food to the pilgrims,” said pilgrim Sahib, who was near the tent. “A woman wrapped in an explosives belt went inside the tent and killed and wounded [many people] and children.”
Several hours later, a roadside bomb in southern Baghdad wounded 12 pilgrims, an interior ministry source said.
The attacks took place as the nation gears up for a March election when prime minister Nouri al- Maliki is expected to run on improved security and on oil deals.
Thousands of Shias have flooded the streets for the start of a long walk to Kerbala, 80km (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad, for the religious rite of Arbain. More violence is likely during Arbain and before the election as suspected Sunni Islamist groups try to undermine Mr Maliki’s Shia-led government.
Last year, a suicide bomber killed 39 pilgrims during Arbain.
Millions of Shias from Iraq, Iran, Bahrain and elsewhere defy the threat of suicide bombings since the US-led invasion to visit Iraq’s Shia holy sites.
Arbain marks 40 days of mourning for Hussein, the prophet Mohammad’s grandson, who died in a seventh-century battle at Kerbala. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, beating their heads and chests in ritual mourning, pour into the city for the rite. – (Reuters)