Nine killed in Iraq as region marks Shi'ite event

By Sami al-Jumaili

KERBALA, Iraq (Reuters) - Attacks in northern Iraq killed nine people on the final day of a major Shi'ite ritual on Saturday, and Pakistani police said they had thwarted a suicide bombing and cyanide attack on worshippers from the religious minority.

The deaths came as millions of Shi'ites across the region marked the climax of the 10-day Ashura rites, which have often been flashpoints for violence and the target of attacks by Sunni militants including al Qaeda.

Seven Iraqis were killed in a rocket attack after observing Ashura in Tal Afar, 420 km (260 miles) northwest of Baghdad, police Brigadier General Najim Abdullah said. In the northern city of Kirkuk, a bomb killed two pilgrims heading to a mosque for the annual ceremonies.

Ashura was severely curtailed under Sunni President Saddam Hussein, but has seen a revival since he was ousted by a U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Some 2.5 pilgrims thronged streets and alleys in the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala to mourn the slaying in 680 of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein near the town.

"I was very glad to be among the millions of pilgrims in Kerbala. But to be frank, I have some fears that we might be attacked on the way back home," said Ibrahim Hashim, 40, a teacher from Baghdad.

Imam Hussein's death entrenched the schism between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims over whom they recognised as the successors of Mohammed. Some Sunnis regard Shi'ites as heretics.

In a sign of mourning during Ashura, many Shi'ites beat their chests to the sound of drums and religious chants, or flagellate themselves, often drawing blood.