Najaf governor says security plan for Arbaeen completed as pilgrim numbers exceed 17 million

NAJAF, Iraq — The governor of Najaf, Yusuf Kanavi, said the security plan drawn up for this year's Arbaeen commemorations has been fully implemented, with more than 17 million visitors entering the city since the start of the Safar month. Speaking at a press conference attended by Najaf Provincial Council head Hussein al-Isawi, the custodian of the Shrine of Imam Ali Haydar al-Isawi, and Fifth Border Region commander Major General Rahim Yunus Rahim, Kanavi said the plan succeeded through coordination between security units, service agencies and the shrine administration. A shrine representative said the 17 million figure included Iraqi pilgrims alongside Arab and foreign visitors. Officials at the briefing emphasized that no security incidents were recorded during the commemorations and that coordination proceeded as planned. The Arbaeen observances in Karbala, marking the end of the Forty-Day pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussein, concluded on Tuesday, drawing around 5 million foreign visitors in addition to Iraqi pilgrims. Authorities said services and security arrangements were carried out without disruption throughout the period.