Baghdad boosts security for religious festival

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Baghdad has ramped up security ahead of one of Shiite Islam's most important religious festivals amid heightened concerns of attacks on a holy pilgrimage site, the Iraqi military said on Friday.

An extra 5,000 soldiers fanned out in the Kadhimiyah district of Baghdad ahead of the arrival of thousands of pilgrims expected to attend a ceremony on Tuesday to mourn a revered imam who died 12 centuries ago.

"There is more than a full brigade deployed in the vicinity, entrances and exits of the city, and in the surrounding areas of Kadhimiyah city, for fear of attacks," defence ministry officials told AFP.

Soldiers have cordoned off the northern Baghdad district, not allowing traffic in, while pedestrians -- especially women -- were being subjected...