Shiite pilgrims attend evening prayers at the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.
A woman carries a banner bearing the face of Imam Hussein in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.
Awakening council members mourn for their leader, Haj Udai Hameed Sultan, who was killed in a vehicle accident in Khalis, some 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. Police said four council members were injured when their truck collided with a lorry.
Security is tight as Shiite pilgrims converge on Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.
Awakening council members mourn for their leader, Haj Udai Hameed Sultan, who was killed in a vehicle accident in Khalis, some 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008. Police said four council members were injured when their truck collided with a lorry.
A worshipper visits the Imam Abaas shrine in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.
A worshipper visits the Imam Abaas shrine in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.
A U.S. army soldier from Ghostrider Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment runs for cover during Operation Phantom Phoenix in the village of Abu Musa on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, in the volatile Diyala province, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008.
A U.S. army soldier from Ghostrider Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment runs through smoke generated by a smoke grenade during Operation Phantom Phoenix in the village of Abu Musa on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, in the Diyala province, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008.
Children watch as U.S. army soldiers search their home during Operation Phantom Phoenix in the village of Abu Musa on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, north of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008.
An Iraqi wounded by an explosion gets help from U.S. army soldiers from Ghostrider Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment during Operation Phantom Phoenix in the village of Sinsil on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, in the volatile Diyala province, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008.
A U.S. army soldier from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment adjusts his night vision goggles inside a home his unit searched during the initial phase of Operation Raider Harvest in the village of Sinsil on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, in the volatile Diyala province, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008.
An Iraqi policeman celebrates Police Day in Basra, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. Further north, dozens of Iraqi police celebrated in central Baghdad on Wednesday, chanting, dancing and decorating their vehicles to mark the annual National Police Day only three days after a suicide bombing marred Army Day celebrations.
Iraqi Police Commandos celebrate Police Day in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008.
Iraqi policemen stand guard in Tahreer Square in central Baghdad, Iraq. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008.
U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment interrogate a suspect during the initial phase of Operation Raider Harvest in the village of Sinsil on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, in the volatile Diyala province, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008.
U.S. army soldiers from 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, inspect the damage on an armored vehicle after it was hit by a roadside bomb during the initial phase of Operation Raider Harvest in the village of Sinsil on the northern outskirts of Muqdadiyah, in the volatile Diyala province, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008.
An Iraqi man inspects ceremonial chains, used in self-flagellation by devout Shiite Muslim worshippers in honor of the death of Imam Hussein, in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008.
Men inspect the damage at the site of a suicide bombing in the Azamiyah district of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008.
The widow of Riyadh al-Samarrai, head of a local U.S.-backed armed group, grieves at Abu Hanifa mosque in the Azamiyah district of Baghdad, Iraq on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008.