Kerbela mobilizes services for Ashura as millions of pilgrims expected

KARBALA, Iraq — Authorities in the holy city of Kerbela have launched a multi-agency operation ahead of Ashura, preparing to receive millions of pilgrims commemorating the 680 killing of Imam Hussein. Work is being carried out simultaneously across health, municipal and infrastructure sectors, with dozens of mourning processions already arriving along the routes between the city's two holy shrines. The oil derivatives directorate has supplied the processions with 209,077 liters of diesel, 104,691 liters of kerosene and 120,250 liquefied gas cylinders. The sewerage directorate deployed more than 1,000 personnel, over 300 specialized vehicles and 57 pumping stations, evacuating 2.358 million cubic meters of wastewater in seven days. Municipal teams are working in three shifts across 10 districts with 3,274 staff and 419 municipal vehicles. The health department has readied 100 ambulances, eight public hospitals, five private hospitals and 55 inspection teams to serve visitors. Director General of Civil Defense Major General Muhsin Kazim Zamili said new 2026-model specialized vehicles and motorcycles have been dispatched to the city. No further operational details were immediately available.