Iraqi commander reviews security plan for Imam Husayn commemorative march in Karbala

KARBALA, Iraq — The head of Iraq's Million-Visitor Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir al-Shimari, traveled to Karbala on Thursday to oversee the security plan for the Four Imams commemorative march marking Imam Husayn, his office said. Al-Shimari, who also serves as director of the Prime Minister's and Commander-in-Chief's office, toured entry and exit points for pilgrims, command-and-control centers and the positions of security and military units alongside the Karbala operations commander and other officers. The field review was carried out under directives from the Commander-in-Chief, according to the statement. Al-Shimari inspected coordination between security and support services and stressed the need to maintain maximum readiness and vigilance as visitor numbers rise and the event nears its peak. The committee chief met with pilgrims during the visit and said security and service agencies were working to provide a safe, stable environment and meet their needs. He added that all security and service capabilities had been mobilized and that institutions were operating under a single team spirit in line with the Commander-in-Chief's instructions. Field operations and continuous monitoring will remain in place until the commemorative rites are concluded, according to the statement.