ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces detained at least 70 people after one person was killed in suspected tribal clashes in central Iraq’s Najaf overnight, as hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims pass through the province to observe Arbaeen.
Footage on social media posted early Thursday morning showed dozens of civilians, including pilgrims, running away from extended gunfire after clashes broke out between two unidentified groups in Najaf’s Zarka area.
The Najaf police command said that the situation was brought under control hours later, confirming that one person was killed in the clashes “between two sides,” without elaborating. A statement from the Iraqi interior ministry also refrained from naming any parties.
Several weapons and other equipment were also confiscated by the security forces, the police statement noted, adding that efforts continue to detain all other remaining suspects.
Also on Thursday, videos circulated on social media of clashes in nearby Karbala purportedly between members of the Iraqi army and factions of the state-linked Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). No official state media had reported on the incident as of publishing this article.
The skirmishes reportedly broke out after three PMF vehicles attempted to enter the province without prior coordination with the Iraqi army, who was in-charge of ensuring the security of the area.
Local media in Karbala reported that the shootings lasted under a minute, and claimed that most of the videos online were fake.
Rudaw English was not able to independently verify the details of the incident in Karbala.
The PMF was formed when a group of militias responded to a call-to-arms from Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest Shiite authority in Iraq, to stand against the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014. While the force was officially incorporated into the Iraqi security apparatus, militias within their ranks operate outside of Baghdad’s control and receive support from Iran.
Millions of Shiite Muslims are currently on a journey towards Karbala for Arbaeen - a significant religious observance for followers of the sect which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of Imam Hussein, the third Shiite Imam and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, in 680 AD.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, on Thursday visited the headquarters of the Joint Operations Command and held a video conference with the governors of Karbala, Najaf, Babil, and Baghdad to discuss the security plans and ensuring the safe passage of pilgrims in the coming days.
“He noted the capability of state institutions to manage the massive crowds with a high level of security, services, and ease of movement, creating a sense of reassurance among citizens that they are in the hands of effective institutions,” Sudani’s office said in a statement.
Sudani “directed all security agencies tasked with securing the pilgrimage to overcome bureaucratic obstacles in security operations, maintain control along the routes taken by pilgrims between provinces and leading to Karbala and Najaf, and to oversee all security details on the ground to preserve the results of the extensive efforts made.”
Officials in Iraq repeatedly have advocated and espoused the importance of assuring the safety of all participants and others during the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
