Baghdad closes 'Ya Hussein' road for maintenance ahead of Arbaeen commemoration

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Baghdad Operations Command has closed the "Ya Hussein" road in the capital for maintenance in preparation for the 40th commemoration visit marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The closure covers the section from the Bridges Junction (Köprüler Kavşağı) to the Baghdad Arches (Bağdat Kemerleri), where asphalt milling and roadwork are being carried out. Officials said the route is being prepared early to ensure the safe arrival of convoys and visitors heading to Baghdad for the commemoration ceremonies. The work is part of preparations for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which draws large numbers of pilgrims to the city each year. As part of the traffic plan, heavy vehicles will be rerouted to Baghdad's western entrance instead of the southern entry point. Small vehicles have been directed to use the Dewra-Yusufiya expressway as an alternative route. The Operations Command urged visitors and drivers to follow the designated alternative routes during the maintenance period. No further details on the duration of the closure were immediately available.