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Bomb attacks mar Shia Iraqi feast Bomb attacks mar Shia Iraqi feast
(about 1 hour later)
Bomb attacks on a Shia mosque and pilgrims have killed at least 23 people as Iraq's main Muslim community marks one of its biggest feasts. Bomb attacks on a Shia mosque and pilgrims have killed at least 36 people as Iraq's largest Muslim community marks one of its biggest feasts.
More than a million pilgrims were gathering in Karbala, south of Baghdad, to mark the birth of historic religious figure Mohammed al-Mehdi. Pilgrims have been crowding to and from Karbala, south of Baghdad, to mark the birth of a historic religious figure.
The mosque bomb in Mosul killed 20 while a blast hit a bus returning from Karbala, killing three pilgrims. The mosque bombing near the northern city of Mosul killed 30, while blasts killed six returning pilgrims in Baghdad, police said.
Iraq has seen frequent sectarian strife between its Shia and Sunni Muslims.Iraq has seen frequent sectarian strife between its Shia and Sunni Muslims.
On the outskirts of Mosul, in northern Iraq, the bomb went off as worshippers were leaving the mosque after Friday prayers.On the outskirts of Mosul, in northern Iraq, the bomb went off as worshippers were leaving the mosque after Friday prayers.
Police said 61 people were also wounded in the blast which reportedly targeted members of the Turkmen community. Police said 61 people had also been wounded in the blast, and the number of casualties was likely to rise.
More than eight people were injured in the attack on the pilgrims' bus, which was struck by a roadside bomb as it entered Sadr City in the capital Baghdad. The area is one of the least stable in Iraq.
In the worst attack in Baghdad, at least three people were killed and eight injured when a pilgrims' bus was struck by a roadside bomb as it entered the Shia area of Sadr City.
An attack on Thursday evening killed at least one person making their way to the festival and injured three.An attack on Thursday evening killed at least one person making their way to the festival and injured three.
Security testSecurity test
Shia pilgrims in Karbala have often been targeted by attacks in the past. The hundreds of thousands of Shia pilgrims who gather in Karbala have often been targeted by attacks in the past.
Attacks have taken place at the festival in previous years Advertisement
Iraqi pilgrims gather in Karbala
The festival marks the birth of Mohammed al-Mehdi, the 12th and last Shia Imam, known as the Hidden Imam.The festival marks the birth of Mohammed al-Mehdi, the 12th and last Shia Imam, known as the Hidden Imam.
More than 20,000 Iraqi police have been deployed to protect the pilgrims.More than 20,000 Iraqi police have been deployed to protect the pilgrims.
The festival could become a test for the Iraqi government, which says its forces are in control of the situation, says the BBC's Natalya Antelava in Baghdad.
Many Iraqis say the government has yet to prove it is in full control of security.Many Iraqis say the government has yet to prove it is in full control of security.
The BBC's Natalya Antelava in Baghdad says the government is accusing Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda of trying to reignite sectarian tensions in the country.
But while the majority of attacks in recent days have been aimed at Shia communities, some Sunnis have also been targeted, our correspondent says.
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.
But just two days ago a bomb killed three and wounded many more in one of Baghdad's predominantly Sunni neighbourhoods.
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.
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