Iraq on high alert ahead of month Sha’aban ceremonies
Altaf Ahmad
Press TV, Karbala
The Iraqi holy city of Karbala is bracing itself to receive up to seven million visitors who are expected to take part in mid-Sha’aban ceremonies. Security forces and popular mobilization units have reinforced their presence at the city’s borders, especially with Anbar province..
A major security plan to secure month Sha’aban commemorations.Iraq’s top security officials have announced a major security plan to secure the mid-Sha’aban ceremonies in Karbala.Mid Sha’aban marks the birth of the twelfth Shia Imam –Mahdi.
Every year up to 7 million people take part in these ceremonies in Karbala.With the fall of the provincial capital – Ramadi – of neighboring Anbar, security officials are on their tiptoes here.
Following the fall of Ramadi, head of ISIL – Ibrahim Samerrai also known as Abu Bakr Baghdadi – had warned that his group will target the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and Karbala next.
Popular mobilization units have therefore established posts and deployed a large number of fighters at Karbala’s northern and northeastern borders.
Security officials in Karbala tell Press TV that their plan to secure Karbala will include the participation of all of Iraq’s defense and internal security forces as well as popular mobilization units and Iraq’s air-force.
In recent months, the holy city of Karbala has witnessed several major observances the largest of which was the commemoration of Arba’een in December of 2014.
The Arba’een that marks the passing of 40 days after the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam –Hussein Bin Ali – saw the participation of up to 20 million and was marked by the success of the security plan.
In recent months security officials in Karbala have achieved several breakthroughs maintaining security during million-man ceremonies in the holy city. With the recent turmoil in neighboring Anbar however it was necessary to take further precautionary measures to safeguard the city.
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