Iraqi Federal Police commander says routes to Karbala secure for pilgrims

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The commander of Iraq's Federal Police, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Qasim al-Fahd, said on Sunday that routes toward Karbala were secure for visitors, telling pilgrims there was no cause for security concern along the way. In a public message, al-Fahd said attacks on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) headquarters had occurred away from the pilgrimage corridor and that the visit plan was proceeding as scheduled. Al-Fahd said all roads were under security control, with service convoys and medical teams deployed along the route. He listed the resources on hand, including ambulances, large, medium and small service buses, and engineering units tasked with road clearance and field arrangements. The commander added that no security breaches had been recorded so far. He urged visitors to continue their journey calmly.