In Iraq, three pilgrims were killed and seven others wounded in an attacks near Baghdad on Friday evening. According to voice of Iraq news agency, the incident occurred when an IED device exploded which targeted a Shiite procession in al-Rashad in Baghdad. The pilgrims were going on foot in a procession heading for Karbala to mark Ashura. The casualties include children. In a separate incident later at night, four people were killed and five wounded by mortars fired into the residential area of Obaidi, in eastern Baghdad.