Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Blasts kill 32 at height of Iraq Shiite pilgrimage
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Blasts kill 32 at height of Iraq Shiite pilgrimage
By CHELSEA J. CARTER,Associated Press Writer -
1 hour 36 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
BAGHDAD – A twin car bombing Friday targeted a crowd of Shiite pilgrims packing a highway as they walked to a holy city south of Baghdad for a major religious ceremony, killing at least 32 and wounding 154 people, Iraqi ministry officials said.
It was the third deadly bombing this week hitting the ceremony in which hundreds of thousands of Shiites have been converging on the city of Karbala. Friday's attack struck during the culmination of the pilgrimage.
This week's violence took place as Iraqi politicians argued over an effort to bar hundreds of candidates from running in the March 7 parliamentary elections because of suspected ties to Saddam Hussein's regime. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Thursday he would not allow the U.S. ambassador to meddle in the dispute, which Washington fears could frustrate Sunni-Shiite reconciliation.
Friday's attack began shortly after noon when a parked car bomb exploded just east of one of three main entrances to Karbala, two health ministry officials said. The explosion sent throngs of pilgrims running down the highway and straight into the path of a suicide car bomber who detonated the vehicle, they said.
At least 154 people were wounded in the consecutive blasts, the officials said.
However, an Iraqi police official reported it was two mortar rounds that struck the area, followed by a suicide car bomb. Such conflicting accounts are common in the chaotic aftermath of bombings in Iraq.
The attack came at the height of the pilgrimage when roads around Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, were clogged with people trying to reach the city by Friday. The crowds made it difficult for ambulances to get to the wounded, another police official said.
The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.
The Arbaeen holy day, preceded by days of mass marches to Karbala, marks the end of 40 days of mourning after the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, a revered Shiite figure.
The concentration of Shiites makes the annual ceremony a prime target for suspected Sunni militants.
Iraqi security forces have increased protection for pilgrims but face huge challenges trying to find a single attacker in the crowds _ and this year's Arbaeen commemorations have been the deadliest since 2007.
Friday's attack in Karbala was just a short distance from where a bomb exploded two days earlier, killing around two dozen people. And on Monday, a female suicide bomber killed at least 54 pilgrims heading for the city in an attack just north of Baghdad.
In another attack Friday, a roadside bomb struck a bus carrying pilgrims through Baghdad, killing one and wounding 13, police and hospital officials said on condition of anonymity for the same reason as the others.
In each of the past two years, attacks during the ceremonies killed around 60 Shiites, a drop from the more than 340 killed in 2007.
Iraqi security forces have increased protection for pilgrims but face huge challenges trying to find a single attacker in the crowds.
In Pakistan, where Shiites are also attacked by Sunni extremists, two bombs targeting those observing Arbaeen exploded on Friday. One blast went off outside a hospital treating victims from the earlier attack on worshippers heading to a procession. At least 22 people were killed and more than 50 wounded.
In Iraq, tension also escalated this week between al-Maliki's Shiite-led government and Iraq's Sunni politicians over the push to ban some candidates from next month's election.
A parliamentary committee responsible for rooting out Saddam loyalists blacklisted more than 450 politicians, but an appeals court overturned the ban on Wednesday.
Al-Maliki denounced the ruling, and election officials have asked Iraq's highest judicial authority for a final ruling.
The U.S. is deeply worried the ban could undercut the credibility of the election among Iraqis and cripple efforts to reconcile majority Shiites and the Sunnis who dominated Iraq under Saddam.
U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill applauded the decision to lift the ban and has said that Iraq must have a credible election.
Al-Maliki warned Hill not to get involved.
"We will not allow American Ambassador Christopher Hill to go beyond his diplomatic mission," al-Maliki said late Thursday in a statement published on his political coalition's Web site.
Al-Maliki said the ban on the candidates should be implemented and that Iraq must not bow to U.S. pressure.
The U.S. Embassy dismissed the warning, saying that Hill has been doing what any diplomat normally does _ offering his government's views on issues that could affect American interests.
"That is not going beyond the bounds of acceptable diplomacy. Iraqi leaders take on board our views but then make their own decisions," said an embassy statement issued to The Associated Press. "Of course, we respect Iraqi sovereignty."
___
Associated Press Writers Bushra Juhi and Qassim Abdul-Zahra contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Lawyer: Missionary leader to blame for kidnap case AP - 59 minutes ago
Johns' 'Flag' owned by Michael Crichton to be sold AP - 1 hour 18 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 1 hour 22 minutes ago
Two car bombs kill 31 in Iraqi holy city Reuters - 1 hour 22 minutes ago
kraine official: partisan force threatens unrest AP - 1 hour 27 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment eases to 9.7%
Euro hits nine-month dollar low
Euro climbs back above $1.37 after US data
British Airways losses widen, forecasts annual loss
British pub fights get safer with new design glasses
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
Shell cuts jobs after profits plunge
Jackson doctor to surrender Friday: lawyer
Blushing Pluto? Dwarf planet takes on a ruddier hue: NASA
NY sues Bank of America alleging fraud in Merrill deal
More Most Viewed »
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 5 February 2010 US military rushes delivery of bomb dogs to Iraq
Shell cuts jobs after profits plunge
US Congress to examine Google pro-democracy role
U.S. commander offers more upbeat Afghanistan view
|
NY sues Bank of America alleging fraud in Merrill deal
Settler house to be evacuated in Jerusalem
Iraq condemns lifting candidate ban, MPs to meet
Watchdog urges Libya to stop blocking websites
Netanyahu assures Syria after Israeli FM's threat
|
Metro reports best ever quarterly results
Sinn Fein says believes has basis for Northern Ireland deal
|
Magnum Photos selling past to ensure future
Costa Rica poised to elect first woman president
|
Two charged with selling Samsung trade secrets
Hackers rigging blogs, email, websites: Websense
Cisco profit up 23 percent, will hire up to 3,000
Mexico gangs cut into Super Bowl avocado bounty
|
Greek minister not optimistic on Cyprus talks
|
IMF chief says may quit early: for run in France?
|
Two charged with selling Samsung trade secrets
Officials: Suicide bomb kills 3 in Afghan south
China migrant workers may not return from holiday
Thai PM downplays fears of Thaksin 'People's Army'
Hong Kong people should be angry with govt: activist
Beijing, Washington spar on trade as row rolls on
Kiradech shares lead at Thai golf Pro-Am
U.S. teens lose interest in blogging: study
|
Uzbek film director faces jail over slander charge
India offers official talks with Pakistan
Obama aunt testifies at her 2nd asylum hearing
Video gamers get their skates on for Winter Olympics
|
Report: China sentences 25 kidnappers to death
Dalai Lama to meet Obama at White House this month
NATO: 32 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan
Kiteboarder killed by sharks in rare deadly attack
New York AG filing civil charges against BofA
Man, 70, freed from jail after Nevada casino crash
Thomas: Some questioning of Court 'irresponsible'
Gay NY teen's harassment suit gets federal notice
Brown taking over the late Sen. Kennedy's seat
Path cleared for plea by former Intel executive
India growth seen back on track: IMF
Toyota's US woes compounded by Prius probe
India outsourcers forecast sharp export rise
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $14.52 bln
Wayne Newton's abandoned jet rots at Mich. airport
Coroner: Casey Johnson's death diabetes related
Attorney says Jackson's doc is talking surrender
Art world hails record price for Giacometti
Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, anemia, drugs
|
Polish banknote to mark Chopin anniversary
Jackson doctor negotiating surrender: lawyers
|
China's Olympic swim centre to become water park
In a London bunker, robo-art comes to life
Review: Hot Chip calms down with 'One Life Stand'
AZ sweat lodge leader pleads not guilty in deaths
Camilla visits set of UK soap 'Coronation Street'
Not clear if Gaza war probes are credible -U.N.'s Ban
China envoy to visit North Korea; U.S. activist released
|
Publishers, Amazon in flux in e-book pricing fray
Jackson doctor to surrender Friday: lawyer
Afghan women fear peace plans will reverse rights
N.Ireland parties agree devolution deal
|
N.Ireland power-sharing saved as party backs deal
Blushing Pluto? Dwarf planet takes on a ruddier hue: NASA
Justice Dept says Google books deal troubled
Riot-hit Xinjiang capital at risk for years
|
UN chief can't judge if Gaza probes are 'credible'
Not clear if Gaza war probes are credible: U.N.'s Ban
|
Google, US intel teaming up to fight cyberattacks: reports
Iraq parliament to debate Saddam-era poll candidates
Malaysian media shapes battleground in Anwar trial
|
Be 'reasonably polite' Engadget asks as comments return
Israel FM warns Assad will lose power if Syria goes to war
Samsung aims to triple smartphone sales in 2010
Discussing Iran sanctions hinders diplomacy
YouTube's Eun latest Google exec to join AOL
Google, NSA to team up in cyberattack probe
Venezuela opposition decries appointment of Cuban
|
Sun CEO resigns... with a Twitter haiku
U.S. teens lose interest in blogging: study
Video gamers get their skates on for Winter Olympics
Samsung aims to triple smartphone sales in 2010
Google, NSA to team up in cyberattack probe
|
US-born pandas on way 'home' to China
Publishers, Amazon in flux in e-book pricing fray
|
Justice Dept says Google books deal troubled
|
Riot-hit Xinjiang capital at risk for years
U.S. teens lose interest in blogging: study
|
China sentences one to death for kidnapping
Video gamers get their skates on for Winter Olympics
|
Report: Chinese envoy to visit NKorea next week
Samsung aims to triple smartphone sales in 2010
|
NKorea says it will free detained US missionary
Sen. Landrieu defends Medicaid deal for La.
Video game makers look for 2010 turnaround
|
2-inch toy gun in school means trouble for NYC boy
Police release feng shui master in tycoon estate case
Netezza teams up with NEC to battle Oracle
|
Global Weather-Celsius
YouTube's Eun latest Google exec to join AOL
|
Prosecutors review CO middle school 'sexting' case
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Firm to pay $200K after importing lead-laden toys
RIM device development holds promise, analyst says
|
China envoy to visit North Korea; U.S. activist released
3 charged over Malaysia Muslim prayer room attacks
Couple accused of abducting Dugard seek visits
Calif man to be sentenced for tattoo parlor arson
Police: Man stuffed 75 bottles of lotion in pants
Murder trial of man accused of tossing boy ending
NY court sniffs at ex-cop's drugged-dinner claim
Obama tells Democrats to keep faith
Seoul shares post lowest close in over 2 mths
Rio Tinto appoints new China chief
China announces anti-dumping steps on US chicken
Taiwan air force to get 3 helicopters from Europe
China to impose anti-dumping penalties on US chicken
Inflation in Philippines slips to 4.3 percent
Jackson doctor negotiating surrender: lawyers
|
Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, anemia, drugs
|
Toyota woes deepen as Prius recall looms
Oscar contenders vie for underdog status
|
Global markets rout hits Asia
New art auction record may not be end, say experts
|
International Potato Center opens Asia branch in China
Lady Antebellum set to crush Lil Wayne on U.S. chart
|
Taiwan says to buy miltary helicopters from Europe
Who can afford Howard Stern?
|
Jay-Z sues lender over loan for NYC property
|
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia
|
US justice department slams Google book deal
Up a favorite in quality Oscar race for animation
|
Self-help guru in court on manslaughter charges
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Web-based mystery romance lures indie producer
|
Springsteen wants name off lawsuit against NYC bar
Only in America: Legal duel over heart attack burger joints
Videogame star "Fallout 3" heading for Sin City
Kenny Rogers to mark 50 years in music on TV
The Who's Townshend defends Super Bowl performance
Coroner: Pneumonia killed Murphy, drugs had role
Iraq mortar attack kills 31 Shiite pilgrims
Euro hits nine-month dollar low
Car bombs kill 40 in Iraq, tensions simmer
|
Facebook marks sixth birthday with new home page
Euro climbs back above $1.37 after US data
Israel's new rocket shield not going to Gaza front
Darfur rebel infighting drives 10,000 from their homes
British Airways losses widen, forecasts annual loss
British pub fights get safer with new design glasses
N.Ireland parties agree policing deal: British PM
Taliban reject deal with Afghanistan, West
|
Blasts kill 32 at height of Iraq Shiite pilgrimage
U.N. Security Council may discuss Iran: Russia's Lavrov
|
Dubai police may pursue Israel PM for Hamas killing
Bomb kills two, wounds up to 20 at Afghan dog fight
Twin blasts in Pakistan's Karachi kill about 22
|
After U.S. deal, Taiwan to buy helicopters from Europe
|
Iraq condemns lifting candidate ban
Turkish Cypriot leader says peace talks progressing
|
Dubai police may pursue Israel PM for Hamas killing: report
|
UK troops pave way for massive NATO Afghan assault
|
China warns locals to settle migrant pay disputes
NKorea says it will free detained US missionary
Bomb hit bus carrying Shiites in Pakistan, 11 dead
Immigrant smuggling raids hit Texas bus companies
Timberlake to get pudding pot from Harvard
Indonesia's controversial Obama statue to be moved
US military leaders faulted over Afghan ambush
Obama plan would expand some small-business loans
Blast hits Karachi hospital treating bomb victims
Media rights group slams Kazakh gag order
Urban farmers fight nationwide to sow green biz
Police: Casualties feared in Pakistan blast
Leader of feared Mexican cartel gets 17 years
3 Indians killed in Philippine road accident
Explorers' century-old whisky found in Antarctic
Alaska OKs some exotic cats; bars chimps, sloths
Obama to help commemorate 7 slain CIA employees
Washington cities clamp down on bikini baristas
The nation's weather
Toyota CEO to break silence amid recall crisis
HK man has 'zero interest' in buying Portsmouth
Panasonic returns to profit in third quarter
New photos of Marilyn Monroe up for sale
|
Group: China passenger car sales up 84 pct in Jan.
Cambodia blasts Google map of disputed Thai border
S.Korea BOK plays down fallout from recent jitters
Avatar poised for eighth box office win
|
South Korean won falls 1.6 pct vs dollar
New photos of Marilyn Monroe up for sale
Taiwan's Formosa to invest 20 billion dolllars in 2010
Robin Williams loses $6 million lawsuit
|
Robin Williams loses $6 million lawsuit
Indonesia to remove Obama statue from public park
Indonesian Islamists block horror film: producers
Christie's to auction Michael Crichton art works
|
Johns' 'Flag' owned by Michael Crichton to be sold
Somali pirates: the unlikely heroes of Kenya's fishermen
Kosovo tourist site: test case in Belgrade vs. Pristina
Christie's to auction Michael Crichton's art works
10 months on, Italian quake capital still an 'empty city'
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights