Iraqi security forces and PMF clash in Karbala ahead of Arbaeen pilgrimage

Iraqi security forces fired shots into the air during a clash between units of the Iraqi army and members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (also known as "Hashed al-Shaabi") on Thursday in the holy Shia city of Karbala, days before millions are expected to gather for the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

The confrontation occurred around five kilometres from Karbala's old city in the early hours of the morning. Four vehicles belonging to the PMF attempted to pass through an Iraqi army roadblock on a street designated for pedestrian pilgrims, an interior ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

Videos posted by Iraqis on the X platform showed the confrontation involved militants from "Jund al-Imam", one of the factions under the PMF's umbrella, led by Iraq's Minister of Labour, Ahmed al-Asadi.

The incident resulted in the death of a teenager, Ali Abbas, from the Anbar province in western Iraq.

The New Arab contacted Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, head of Iraq's Security Media Cell and spokesperson for the Iraqi Army's joint operations command, as well as Iraqi government spokesperson Basm al-Awadi, for comment, but none responded by time of publication.

Karbala braces for Arbaeen

The incident adds to tensions as Karbala braces for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, a key figure in Shia Islam and the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. 

The annual event draws millions of pilgrims from around the world; last year, 22 million attended, including many from neighbouring Iran. Since 6 August, around 2.9 million pilgrims have entered Iraq, with the commemorations set to peak on Sunday.

In a related development, Iraq's Interior Minister, Abdul Amir al-Shammari, announced on Tuesday during a joint conference with Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbasi in Karbala that the number of arrivals to Iraq has reached 2.75 million.

In response to the clash, six PMF members were arrested by a security unit within their organisation. A PMF official, who declined to be named, confirmed the arrests and said an investigation is underway to determine who fired shots during the pilgrimage.

The PMF, a coalition of mainly pro-Iran Shia paramilitary groups, was formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State after the regular army struggled to stop its advance. Despite being integrated into Iraq's security forces, the PMF units remain politically and militarily powerful, and incidents of tension between them and other security institutions are not uncommon.

Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has issued directives to boost security readiness as the pilgrimage reaches its peak, stressing the importance of a swift response to any security breaches.

During a visit to the Joint Operations Command, al-Sudani chaired a security meeting with top officials and coordinated with governors of key provinces. He praised the efforts to manage the influx of pilgrims and confirmed the formation of a high-level committee for the management of mass pilgrimages.

Al-Sudani also directed security forces to bypass routine procedures, maintain control over pilgrimage routes, and ensure the smooth transportation of pilgrims. He emphasised the need to maintain efforts until the pilgrimage concludes and to take strict measures against any violations.

As Karbala remains under heightened security measures, Iraqi security forces are extensively deployed throughout the city, conducting searches and monitoring pilgrim routes to ensure their safety and protect them from potential threats.

As Iraq continues to navigate the complexities of its security environment, the successful management of such large-scale religious gatherings remains a critical test of the country's stability and governance.