Special report: Tension accelerates in Iraq

Hundreds of thousands of Shiites pilgrims cross al-Sarrafiyah bridge heading towards Shiite Imam Musa al-Kadhim's shrine in the al-Kadhimiah district north of Baghdad. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BAGHDAD, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a series of attacks on pilgrims in Baghdad on Sunday, highlighting escalating sectarian tension in Iraq.

    Most of the attacks occurred when pilgrims were moving to Kazimiyah district for annual commemoration of the death of the seventh of the 12 most sacred Shiite imams, an Iraqi security source said.

    Many pilgrims were attacked by snipers from rooftops, the source said, adding the casualties could rise further. Several gunmen were reportedly arrested by security forces.

    The attacks came as the authorities imposed a two-day vehicle ban in some neighborhoods in Baghdad from Friday night to Monday morning.

    No cars and very few people can be seen on streets in Baghdad except police and army vehicle patrols, but sporadic gunshots and explosions can be heard clearly.

    Thousands of Shiite pilgrims from many parts of Baghdad and other provinces are gathering near Imam Mousa al-Kadim shrine in Kazimiyah district. The government estimated that nearly 2 million pilgrims would pay homage to the shrine this year.

    Meanwhile, a group of Shiite pilgrims en route to the shrine were attacked in northern Baghdad Friday night, leaving seven people killed, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

    In last year's ceremony, about 1,000 Shiite pilgrims were killed in a deadly stampede on a bridge over the Tigris River, which was triggered by a fake suicide bomb alarm. Enditem