Iraq's High Security Committee outlines measures for Ashura and Arbaeen pilgrimages

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's High Security Committee has issued recommendations for securing the upcoming Ashura and Arbaeen pilgrimages, according to the Joint Operations Command. Lt. Gen. Qais al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of joint operations and head of the committee, chaired a conference of security officials at the Joint Operations Command headquarters on Saturday to review preparations for the first ten days of Muharram and the Arbaeen commemoration marking the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The meeting covered intelligence coordination and field operations during the pilgrimage period. Committee members stressed that cities and roads along the pilgrims' transit routes should not be given a heavy military appearance, while security inspections should be increased at points of heavy pilgrim concentration, including parking areas and Hussayni processions. Al-Muhammadawi also ordered additional measures to ensure the comfort of visitors arriving from within Iraq and abroad. Further details on the deployment plan were not immediately released.