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Shiites on Pilgrimage Visit Iraq

Iraq is hosting millions of Shiite Muslims as they visit the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf during the "Arbaeen" pilgrimage. During Arbaeen, which marks the death of Imam Hussein in a great battle, millions of Muslims from Iraq, Iran (Shiite dominated), Bahrain, Kuwait and other areas visit two holy shrines in the two cities.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, says that despite the pilgrims being an "easy and very visible" terrorist target, they were "able to worship without fear. "12 were killed and two wounded in connection with the pilgrimage," whereas in 2004 terrorists killed over 120 civilians, injuring over 300 more.

According to Rumsfeld, "this year`s pilgrimage passed, for the most part, peacefully," after years of violence once marked the occasion. "Iraq is benefiting from added training and increased military capabilities of the 241,000 Iraqi soldiers and police. Provincial governors, provincial police chiefs and Iraqi security personnel executed an extensive security plan." Rumsfeld said.