Security Tightened in Karbala Amid Shiite Pilgrimage and Rising Regional Tensions

The holy city of Karbala in Iraq is once again the stage for one of the largest Shiite religious gatherings, the Ashoura pilgrimage commemorating Imam Hussein’s martyrdom. But beneath the surface of this deeply spiritual event lies a tense security environment shaped by foreign-backed militias and geopolitical turmoil. Tens of thousands of pilgrims from across Iraq and foreign countries like Iran, Lebanon, and Pakistan flock to Karbala annually to honor Imam Hussein. His stand against tyranny in 680 AD resonates today, symbolizing resistance to oppression. However, this symbolism has been exploited by Iran-backed factions in Iraq who use such occasions...