Millions Commemorate Arbaeen in Karbala Amid Tight Security and Service Measures
On Thursday, millions of pilgrims commemorated the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein in the holy city of Karbala under strict security and service measures.
Iraqi security authorities revealed that about four million foreign pilgrims—most of them Iranians representing 140 nationalities—entered the country for the pilgrimage. At the same time, the authorities documented 44,000 traffic violations related to speeding during the event.
The Supreme Security Committee for Arbaeen stated that the General Directorate of Traffic recorded nearly 44,000 speed violations through radars installed on international highways during the pilgrimage season. This figure represents a 50% increase compared to last year, largely due to the addition of more radars this year. The Committee emphasized that the Directorate continues to monitor violations and take legal action against reckless drivers to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow.
The Committee also confirmed the seizure of over 210 vehicles driven at “insane” speeds ranging between 200 and 250 km/h, posing a direct threat to public safety. Brigadier General Miqdad Miri, spokesman of the Committee, said that legal procedures were taken against the drivers, calling on all motorists to avoid speeding and to adhere strictly to traffic laws.
The pilgrimage witnessed several traffic accidents, including a tragic bus overturn on the Basra–Zubair highway early Wednesday, leaving dozens dead and injured. The Civil Defense reported that rescue teams used specialized cutting equipment to free those trapped inside the bus, while victims were transported swiftly to hospitals and morgues.
Iranian Pilgrims and Border Movement
Official Iraqi statistics confirmed the entry of around four million foreign pilgrims of 140 nationalities, with Iranians forming the majority. Iranian Commander Ahmad Reza Radan announced that 3.3 million Iranians had traveled to Iraq for the pilgrimage, with about 75% already returning. He added that on a single day alone, 211,000 pilgrims departed through the designated border points, with Shalamcheh crossing alone accounting for over 840,000 travelers, 80% of whom have since returned.
Reverse Dispatch Operations
To manage the massive return, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport launched the “reverse dispatch” operation from Karbala to all provinces. Over 2,500 vehicles were mobilized through the Najaf axis.
Ahmed al-Mousawi, head of the Public Transport Directorate, stated that the company began implementing the operation under the directives of Minister Razzaq al-Saadawi. He noted that fleets were deployed in key areas such as Sayyid Jawda parking lot, one of the largest hubs for visitors, and in Kantarat al-Salam garage, where a special committee oversees logistics and crowd management.
He explained that in Najaf alone, 2,507 vehicles of various types were allocated to support the return process, reflecting the scale of efforts to ensure safe and smooth transportation of pilgrims back home.