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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Security high for Iraq pilgrimage | Security high for Iraq pilgrimage |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| More than one million Iraq pilgrims are gathering in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, to mark one of the biggest festivals in Shia Islam. | More than one million Iraq pilgrims are gathering in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, to mark one of the biggest festivals in Shia Islam. |
| The event presents a major challenge for Iraqi forces, who took charge of security just over a month ago when the US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities. | The event presents a major challenge for Iraqi forces, who took charge of security just over a month ago when the US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities. |
| At least four pilgrims travelling to or from the festival have already been killed by roadside bombs. | At least four pilgrims travelling to or from the festival have already been killed by roadside bombs. |
| Shia pilgrims in Karbala have often been targeted by attacks in the past. | Shia pilgrims in Karbala have often been targeted by attacks in the past. |
| The festival in Karbala marks the birth of Mohammed al-Mehdi, the 12th and last Shia Imam, known as the Hidden Imam. | The festival in Karbala marks the birth of Mohammed al-Mehdi, the 12th and last Shia Imam, known as the Hidden Imam. |
| At least three pilgrims were killed and more than eight injured when the bus in which they were travelling home from Karbala was struck by a roadside bomb as it entered Sadr City in Baghdad. | At least three pilgrims were killed and more than eight injured when the bus in which they were travelling home from Karbala was struck by a roadside bomb as it entered Sadr City in Baghdad. |
| It came after an attack on Thursday evening killed at least one person making their way to the festival and injured three. | It came after an attack on Thursday evening killed at least one person making their way to the festival and injured three. |
| At least year's festival, at least six pilgrims were were killed by a car bomb attack in which a least 10 more were injured. | At least year's festival, at least six pilgrims were were killed by a car bomb attack in which a least 10 more were injured. |
| And another 18 people died when a female attacker blew herself up while among a group of pilgrims in the town of Iskandariya, south of Baghdad. | And another 18 people died when a female attacker blew herself up while among a group of pilgrims in the town of Iskandariya, south of Baghdad. |
| In 2007, fierce fighting in the city around the time of the festival left more than 50 people dead. | In 2007, fierce fighting in the city around the time of the festival left more than 50 people dead. |
| Security test | Security test |
| More than 20,000 Iraqi police have been deployed to protect the pilgrims gathering this year. | More than 20,000 Iraqi police have been deployed to protect the pilgrims gathering this year. |
| The car bomb late on Thursday was a reminder of the need for that protection, says the BBC's Natalya Antelava in Baghdad. | The car bomb late on Thursday was a reminder of the need for that protection, says the BBC's Natalya Antelava in Baghdad. |
| Tight security is in place around the Karbala shrines | Tight security is in place around the Karbala shrines |
| The festival could become a test for the Iraqi government, which says its forces are in control of the situation, she adds. | The festival could become a test for the Iraqi government, which says its forces are in control of the situation, she adds. |
| But many Iraqis says the government has yet to prove it is in full control of security. | But many Iraqis says the government has yet to prove it is in full control of security. |
| Last Friday, a series of apparently co-ordinated bombs outside five Shia mosques in Baghdad killed at least 29 people and injured more than 130. | Last Friday, a series of apparently co-ordinated bombs outside five Shia mosques in Baghdad killed at least 29 people and injured more than 130. |
| On Tuesday, a bomb in one of Baghdad's predominantly Sunni neighbourhoods killed three people. | On Tuesday, a bomb in one of Baghdad's predominantly Sunni neighbourhoods killed three people. |
| Are you in Iraq? Do you know someone undertaking the pilgrimage to Karbala? You can send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in Iraq? Do you know someone undertaking the pilgrimage to Karbala? You can send us your experiences using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |