30,000 Iraqi Troops to Guard Pilgrims

[unhappycamper]

30,000 Iraqi Troops to Guard Pilgrims
January 07, 2009
Associated Press

BAGHDAD - Thousands of Iraqi security forces have been deployed to protect an estimated 2 million Shiite pilgrims joining a procession in the southern holy city of Karbala, which drew pilgrims from Iraq, Iran and other countries, said Aqil al-Khazali, Karbala's provincial governor.

A female suicide bomber allegedly planning to blow herself up among Shiite pilgrims was arrested Wednesday in northern Iraq, as millions joined processions across the country to honor the martyrdom of one of their most revered saints, Iraqi police said.

Police arrested the alleged suicide bomber as she neared a procession in Balad Ruz, 45 miles northeast of Baghdad, an Iraqi police officer said.

The arrest of the woman, who was pointed out to police by other pilgrims, comes after a suicide bombing by a man dressed as a woman earlier this week near a Shiite shrine in Baghdad that killed 38 and wounded more than 70. The bombing led Baghdad authorities to ban women from nearing the shrine.

The police officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information to the news media.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/30000-iraqi-troops-to-guard-pilgrims.html?col=1186032310810