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"Our forces have set up a security plan that includes more than 20,000 members of the security forces,"
Qais Khalaf Rahima, a senior army commander, told a news conference in Karbala on Friday.

They formed three concentric security rings around Karbala, banned traffic in the city centre three days ago
and used special explosives detection equipment, he and the Karbala police chief explained.

View galleryAn Iraqi Shiite actor performs in Najaf on October …
An Iraqi Shiite actor performs in Najaf on October 24, 2015 during the reenactment of the Battle of …
- Political grievances -

The measures are aimed at reducing the risk of suicide bomb attacks by the Islamic State, an extremist Sunni
group which controls parts of Iraq and considers Shiites heretics.

Karbala province borders the vast Anbar region, which is an IS stronghold.

Baghdad's early efforts in the counter-offensive that followed the devastating jihadist assault launched across
Iraq in June 2014 focused on securing Karbala and the other holy Shiite city of Najaf, further south.

Military operations against IS south of Baghdad were successful and the commemorations in Karbala, as well
as the various processions in Baghdad and southern Iraq, felt less exposed than last year's.

View galleryAfghan Shiite Muslim devotees beat themselves with …
Afghan Shiite Muslim devotees beat themselves with chains and blades during Ashura commemorations in …
In Pakistan, Ashura was marred by a suspected suicide blast which targeted Shiites in the southern city
of Jacobabad and killed at least 24, according to a provincial minister.

At least one person was also killed and nearly 80 wounded in a bomb attack on the main Shiite shrine
in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka Saturday, police said.