HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Holy Karbala police headship held a security conference to debate security plans and tight measure aimed at protecting millions of Husseini mourners who will gather in this holy city to observe Ashura –Muharram 9-10 – marking the martyrdom anniversary of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) along with his 72 near and dear ones some 1,400 years ago in the burning desert of Karbala for safety of Islam and Shariah and protection of high human values.

Karbala governor, chieftains of tribes, elite, dignitaries and heads of Husseini mourning groups attended the meeting.

The meeting decided to place security barrier around Holy Karbala before beginning of Ashura; more than 8,000 policemen will be deployed across the Holy city particularly in the region that lays between two holy shrines – Husseini and Abbasi -; motorbikes, cycles, and carts that are pushed with animals will not be allowed to enter in the center of the city while every pilgrim will go into operation of checking for at least eight times as investigation points will be set up across the holy city.

Police chief urged all citizens to fully cooperate with the security forces, remain vigilant and inform immediately as soon as they come to know about any suspected element. He also warned hotel owners from sheltering foreigners or those Iraqis who do not keep particular documents.

The meeting also decided that no food or drink will be served to the pilgrims except after its checking by the police aimed at protecting the Husseini mourners from being poisoned through food or drinks at the hands of terrorists.

It further said that every Husseini group coming to the holy Karbala for Ashura observation will be flanked by at least three policemen known by the chief of the group. Also, buses will be specified to carry the mourners to the holy city.

The participants of the conference discussed ways to make this security plan successful.