More than 22 million pilgrims visit Karbala for Arbaeen, governor says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — More than 22 million pilgrims visited the Iraqi holy city of Karbala during the 40th-day commemoration of Imam Hussein, with around 5 million arriving from other Arab countries and abroad, Governor Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi said at a press conference. Al-Khattabi said the security and services plan for the Arbaeen pilgrimage was carried out successfully through coordination among the holy shrines' administrations, the governorate and the federal government. Karbala municipality figures show workers collected 650,000 tons of waste, supplied more than 500 million cubic meters of drinking water and provided 50 million liters of fuel during the period. The commemoration drew 18,000 Hussaini convoys and 2,500 foreign convoys, with local families helping meet logistical needs, according to the governor. Brigadier General Saad Maan, head of the Security Media Cell, said the security plan had been completed successfully, with visitors from 172 countries and no security incidents or terrorist acts reported. More than 226,000 officers and personnel took part in the security plan. Officials recorded 34 deaths of Iraqi pilgrims and 12 deaths of foreign visitors, all attributed to traffic accidents.