8 Shia pilgrims killed in bomb attack south of Baghdad

A bomber has attacked Shia pilgrims in Latifiyah area, south of Iraqi capital, Baghdad, killing eight people and injuring 15 others.

The attack took place on Thursday after the bomber detonated his explosives among a group of pilgrims walking on the main road leading south Baghdad to the holy city of Karbala.

It was the third such attack in the day, as similar attacks killed 20 people and injured 40 others in the Dura area of south Baghdad.

Also in the day, another bomber struck pilgrims in Yusifiyah, south of Baghdad, killing eight people and injuring at least 32.

The pilgrims were heading to Karbala for Arbaeen that marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

No group has claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks, however systematic bombings are a favorite tactic of al-Qaeda-linked groups in the country.

Earlier this month, Iraq’s ministries of health and defense said that 948 people, including 852 civilians, 53 police officers and 43 soldiers, were killed in violent attacks across the country in November.
The figures make November one of the deadliest months in 2013, with civilians accounting for about 90 percent of the fatalities.

The United Nations says at least 8,000 people have lost their lives in Iraq so far this year.