More than a million Shia pilgrims flocked to the Iraqi holy city of Kerbala today despite bombings that killed 16 people the day after scores died in suicide attacks.
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| Shia pilgrims attend a prayer ceremony at Imam Hussein shrine in Kerbala |
A car bomb in Saidiya in southern Baghdad killed eight people, including seven pilgrims and a policeman, a police source said. Another seven pilgrims were killed by a roadside bomb and gunmen in Doura in southern Baghdad, police sources said. One more was killed by gunmen in central Baghdad.
"These acts will not stop us," said Jabar Ali, who walked for eight days from the southern city of Basra to Kerbala.
Shia Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched a US-backed security crackdown last month that has had some success in reducing death squad killings blamed on Shia militias.
But there has been no let-up in bombings, many of which target Shia communities who say they need the militias to protect them from Sunni Arab insurgents.
Mr Maliki has called a regional meeting with Iraq's neighbours and world powers to enlist their support in stopping violence.
Iran said today it would attend Saturday's meeting which will be a rare opportunity for Iranian and US officials to sit at the same table. Washington accuses Tehran of fomenting violence by backing Shia militias, a charge Iran denies.
Around 140 pilgrims were killed in attacks yesterday. Shias are heading to Kerbala to commemorate Arbain, the end of 40 days of mourning since Ashura, which marks the death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson in 680.
Kerbala police chief Major General Mohammed Abu al-Walid said around 1.5 million pilgrims were in the city today.