Attacks Kill More Than 100 Iraqi Shiites

Posted on Mar 6, 2007

A series of attacks targeting Shiite pilgrims killed more than 100 people in Iraq on Tuesday. Some victims said they blamed the Sunnis, but also the lack of security provided by Iraqi police and U.S. forces. Though reports vary, Reuters has reported the death toll at 149.

New York Times:

BAGHDAD, March 6—Two suicide bombers killed at least 77 Shiite pilgrims in the southern city of Hilla today, the deadliest of more than a dozen attacks that killed more than 100 Shiites marching to the holy city of Karbala on the eve of one of the most important Shiite holidays, Iraqi security authorities said.

The first attacks today struck Baghdad in the morning and early afternoon, killing close to 30 Shiite pilgrims as they left their homes or passed through the capital’s western side on their way to Karbala.

Then the most devastating explosions occurred in Hilla at about 5 p.m. local time: Two bombers waded into a thick crowd of pilgrims and detonated explosive vests, killing at least 77 people and wounding 127 others, according to the Karbala police. Iraqi state-run television put the death toll closer to 100, with twice as many wounded.

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