Millions of Shi’ite pilgrims are in Karbala to mark the Arbaeen holiday. Despite the large crowds, an estimated 22 million, security measures were successful.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was adamant that Iraq does not need U.S. troops to defeat the Islamic State militants and reiterated that any deployment would require Baghdad’s approval. He did not outright say that any approval would be denied.
At least 46 were killed and one person were wounded:
In Baghdad, a bomb killed one person and wounded eight more in Iskan.
Airstrikes on the Makhoul Mountains left 15 militants dead.
Ten militants were killed in airstrikes southwest of Kirkuk.
Security personnel killed 10 militants in al-Baghdadi.
Near Karbala, security forces killed five suicide bombers who were targeting pilgrims.
Five militants were killed in strikes on Albu Dyab.
