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Attacks target Shiite pilgrims

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 7, 2007

BAGHDAD - Bombers and gunmen killed more than 110 Shiite Muslim pilgrims making a traditional trek on foot to the shrine city of Karbala and wounded more than 250 others in scores of sectarian attacks Tuesday that threatened to derail a renewed effort to stabilize Iraq.

In the worst incident, two suicide bombers walking among the pilgrims in the city of Hillah detonated explosive belts within two minutes of each other, killing at least 77 and injuring 127, according to police. In Baghdad, gunmen, car bombs and roadside bombs killed at least 35 and injured 137 others.

The U.S. military command also reported Tuesday that nine American servicemen were killed in two blasts north of Baghdad on Monday, making it the deadliest day in weeks for American troops.

Six soldiers were killed and three others wounded by a blast that struck near their vehicles during combat in Salahaddin province, the vast Sunni area that stretches north from the capital. Another bomb attack killed three soldiers conducting combat operations in Diyala province, the restive area northeast of Baghdad.

As sectarian attacks on civilians have escalated in recent days, Iraqi security officials have continued to insist the crackdown will be effective.

Other developments

Journalist slain: The bullet-riddled body of Jamal al-Zubaidi was found Saturday in the southeastern part of the capital, Reporters Without Borders said in a statement Tuesday. Al-Zubaidi was an economic affairs editor for As-Safir and Al-Dustour newspapers. His death brings to 13 the number of reporters and media assistants killed in Iraq this year, the media watchdog group said.

U.S. medic convicted: A U.S. Army medic who refused to return to Iraq because he believes war is morally wrong was convicted of desertion Tuesday and sentenced to an eight-month prison term - far short of the maximum seven-year sentence. Specialist Agustin Aguayo, 35, had been jailed for 161 days awaiting trial, and his attorney, David Court, said he did not expect him to serve more than about six more weeks. The one-day court martial took place at the Army's Leighton Barracks near Wuerzburg, Germany.

Information from the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times was used in this report.

Fast Facts:

About Karbala

Karbala - (KAHR-bah-lah); pop. 740,000. Provincial capital in central Iraq, at the edge of the Syrian Desert. Trade is in religious objects, hides, wool and dates. Site of the tomb of the Shiite leader and martyr Imam Hussein (or Husayn), a grandson of the prophet Mohammed and son of Ali, who Shiites believe is the true successor to Mohammed. For Shiite Muslims, Karbala is one of the holiest of sites, second only to Mecca as place of pilgrimage.

[Last modified March 7, 2007, 01:00:59]