118 Shiite pilgrims killed in Iraq attacks(and over 160 wounded)

118 Shiite pilgrims killed in Iraq attacks by Ammar Karim

13 minutes ago

BAGHDAD (AFP) - At least 118 Shiite pilgrims were slaughtered in attacks across Iraq on Tuesday, sparking fears of reprisals that could frustrate efforts by Iraqi and US forces to quell sectarian violence.

The deadliest single attack was in Hilla, south of the capital, where two suicide bombers triggered explosives amid a packed crowd of worshippers walking to the holy city of Karbala, police Lieutenant Karim al-Hamzawi said.

Dr Mohammed Timini from Hilla Hospital's emergency room said 90 pilgrims were killed and at least 160 wounded, as queues of ambulances and private cars brought in scores of bloodied bodies.

"Among the wounded, there are 50 in a critical condition. Eighty percent of the casualties are young men, but there are women and children among the dead," he told AFP at the hospital.

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Car bomb strikes Shiite pilgrims in southern Baghdad; 12 dead
BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A car bomb detonated in the southern Baghdad neighborhood of Dora on Tuesday, killing 12 Shiite pilgrims and wounding 38, police officials told CNN.

It is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Shiites walking to the holy city of Karbala for Arbayeen, a religious commemoration that begins on Saturday.

The deadliest attack happened in Hilla, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Karbala, when two suicide bombers struck a crowd of pilgrims, killing 93 and wounding 147.

Earlier in the day, car bombs, roadside bombs and gunfire killed 18 other pilgrims and wounded dozens -- most of them in and around Baghdad -- police reported. -- From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq and Jennifer Deaton (Posted 10:42 a.m.)

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Suicide bombers kill up to 90 in Iraq

By LAUREN FRAYER, Associated Press Writer
3 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two suicide bombers blew themselves up Tuesday in a crowd of Shiite pilgrims streaming toward the holy city of Karbala, killing up to 90 people in one of several attacks targeting the faithful ahead of a weekend holiday.

The attack came a day after U.S. forces suffered their deadliest day in nearly a month — nine American soldiers were killed in explosions north of Baghdad, the military said Tuesday.

The coordinated attack Tuesday happened on a main street in Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, said Capt. Muthana Khalid. He said up to 90 people were killed and more than 150 wounded.

An Associated Press cameraman at the scene said the bombers struck a crowd of pilgrims filing into a pedestrian area. Ambulances and Iraqi police were swarming the area and there was no immediate sign of U.S. forces.

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