Suicide attack kills 25 south of Baghdad

[marmar]

from AP, via Yahoo!:




Suicide attack kills 25 south of Baghdad
By SINAN SALAHEDDIN, Associated Press Writer
41 minutes ago



BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber struck Shiite pilgrims as they were resting Sunday during a days-long walk to a Shiite shrine, killing at least 25 people and wounding 35.

The attack in Iskandariyah, south of Baghdad, was the second of the day against pilgrims traveling to the holy city of Karbala. The pilgrimage marks Arbaeen, the 40th day following the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, one of two revered Shiite figures buried there.

The suicide bomber detonated at a tent where pilgrims stop to eat and drink, police said.

Earlier, extremists attacked another group of pilgrims in the predominantly Sunni Baghdad neighborhood of Dora, killing three and wounding 36, police said.

The attacks heightened tension around Arbaeen, when millions of pilgrims descend on Karbala, about 50 miles south of the capital.

Earlier in the day, a steady stream of pilgrims — some carrying green, black or red banners — walked along a highway out of Baghdad en route to the shrine. Among them were many families, including black-robed women and children.

In Karbala itself, crowds already choked the streets though the culmination of event is Wednesday. Four million pilgrims were already in the city as of a couple of days ago, police said. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080224/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq