Death toll in holy day violence rises
At least 20 people were killed in Iraq today in violence against Shiite pilgrims marking the Ashoura holy day.
At least seven people were killed and another seven wounded when gunmen ambushed a Baghdad bus.
Armed men drove by the bus in two cars and opened fire on the occupants, then sped away, police said.
The attack occurred about 10.30am local time in the western district of Hay al-Amil, a religiously mixed area.
Police said the pilgrims were heading north to Kazimiyah, which is home to the most important Shiite mosque in the capital. At least seven people were killed and seven others wounded, police said.
The ambush was the latest in a series of attacks against Shiites ahead of Ashoura, a commemoration of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
It also came one day after authorities said they killed the leader of a heavily armed cult of messianic Shiites intent on targeting pilgrims in the holy city of Najaf.
A bomb left in a rubbish bin struck Shiites during ceremonies marking Ashoura today near the Iranian border, killing at least 13 people and wounding 39, police said.
The explosion hit as scores of Shiites were gathered in Khanaqin.
Police Maj. Idriss Mohammed said at least 13 people were killed and 39 were wounded, adding that most of the victims were Shiite Kurds. Most Kurds are Sunni but a minority are Shiite.
Khanaqin is 90 miles north-east of Baghdad close to the Iranian border.
