Terrorism Back In Iraq: Pilgrim Martyred, Others Wounded In Explosion North Baghdad

By Staff, Agencies

At least a woman was martyred and 30 other people sustained injuries after an explosion hit an area near the al-Aimmah Bridge north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, local sources reported.

The Iraqi security media cell said security forces are investigating the incident that happened on Monday evening.

The explosion was caused by two hand grenades that detonated in a garbage dump near the bridge, sources said.

The Iraqi news website al-Ma’aloumah said the explosion struck the path used by Shia pilgrims to visit the holy shrine of seventh Imam, Musa al-Kadhim [AS], whose martyrdom anniversary falls on March 9 this year, in al-Kadhimiya region.

The Iraqi intelligence agency said it had arrested three members of a terror cell earlier in the day who were planning a suicide attack on pilgrims of Imam al-Kadhim.

Baghdad's Operation Command said the pilgrims will continue their annual march to the holy shrine.

A few hours after the incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited the scene of the explosion.

The Monday explosion came the same day Pope Francis left Baghdad after a historic three-day visit to Iraq.