Iran closes border crossings with Iraq

[maddezmom]

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has closed several border crossings with Iraq ahead of the Shiite holy day of Ashoura, the country's state television reported Sunday.

The report, citing the government in Tehran, said the crossings were closed to "contain the large number of pilgrims" bound for the Shiite holy city of Karbala in southern Iraq who were planning to cross into Iraq without "legal documents."

No other details were given but the report indicated that not all border crossings had been closed and that some pilgrims were allowed through elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a member of the Iraqi border forces, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media, said that the closures involved the border checkpoint of Sheeb, in Maysan province, and the Shalamjaa border checkpoint in Basra province.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070128/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_iraq_border

[ohio2007]

1. It is officially a "no go" zone for pilgrims

U.S., Iraqi forces kill 250 militants in Najaf
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. and Iraqi forces killed some 250 gunmen from an apocalyptic Muslim cult on Sunday in a battle involving U.S. tanks and aircraft near the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf,

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070128/ts_nm/iraq_dc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGoEcIEv3_Y&mode=related&search=