Iraq bomb attacks target Shiite pilgrims, police officer's family, killing at least 10

An Iraqi federal policeman stands guard as Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for Arbaeen in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 30, 2012. The holiday marks the end of the forty day mourning period after the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of Imam Hussein the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. / AP

BAGHDAD Two separate bombings south of Baghdad killed 10 people and wounded another 24 on Monday, Iraqi officials said — the latest apparent attacks by militants aimed at undermining security and confidence in the government.

The deadliest attack was in the town of Musayyib some 40 miles south of the capital, where militants planted bombs around two houses, one belonging to a police officer. Two women and two children aged 11 and 14, along with three men were killed, while three others were wounded in the pre-dawn blasts, a police officer said.

In the city of Hillah, a parked car bomb exploded in a busy street where local government offices are located, killing three people and wounding 21, another police officer said. He said some Shiite pilgrims were there making their way to the nearby city of Karbala to mark the 7th century death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein.

He didn't say how many pilgrims were among the casualties. Hillah is about 60 miles south of Baghdad.

Two doctors confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

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Although violence has ebbed since the height of the insurgency in the past, some groups presumed to be primarily Sunni extremists are still able to launch lethal attacks nationwide against government officials or civilians.

Shiite pilgrims are one of their favorite targets. Each year, hundreds of thousands converge on the southern city of Karbala where the Imam Hussein is buried. Many travel on foot and the mass gatherings are frequently attacked despite tight security.

[judymar14]

I read an average amount of news, yet this is the first article on Iraq I have in the longest. I thought it might have been do the peace and democracy our soldiers fought and died for there.

[judymar14]

The reason Bush picked Iraq was for a personal vendena against Saddam

[quincytodd]

It appears to be about time that someone thought about dividing Iraq into three different states, first by giving the north to the Kurds, the south to the Shiites and the west to the Sunnis. Until this happens, this violence will only continue!

[judymar14]

Good idea, but these people will still try to do each other in. They know nothing else. Mohammad and his son-in-law must be turning in their graves.