IRNA � Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Major General Othman Al-Ghanemi on Monday stressed the need for ensuring full security of the upcoming Arbaeen ceremony.


In a meeting with members of the Iran-Iraq Joint Security Coordination Committee on Arbaeen, he called for facilitating issues pertaining to the pilgrims.

During the meeting, Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister General Mohammad Badr and Iran�s Military Attache Brigadier General Mostafa Moradian representing the two countries in the committee presented reports on the latest measure taken in the field of security coordination for easing movement of the Iranian pilgrims.

Security plans on Arbaeen Ceremony, latest arrangements for welcoming Iraqi and non-Iraqi pilgrims, easing traffic of pilgrims on the way to Karbala, providing necessities of the pilgrims and essential coordination with security institutes were among the issues discussed during the meeting.

Iraq hosts over two million Iranians every year for Arbaeen, a major Shia event marking the end of 40 mourning days after Ashura marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and his 72 family members and companions at the hands of the brutal ruler Yazid in 680.

Each year, Shias flock to the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) in Karbala in Iraq to participate in the mourning ceremonies.