ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi intelligence forces on Sunday captured a “terrorist” network comprising nearly two dozen suspected Islamic State (ISIS) affiliates who were allegedly plotting attacks against Shiite pilgrims participating in the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage - one of the world’s largest religious gatherings - in southern Iraq. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the arrests were made under the supervision of a judge from the Karbala Investigation Court and carried out by the Falcons Intelligence Cell. The operation led to the arrest of “23 terrorism defendants” - spread across Iraq’s mid-Euphrates southern provinces and the capital, Baghdad - including one woman. “Their confessions have been formally approved by the judiciary.” The Karbala Investigation Court stated that the suspects confessed to planning multiple “terrorist plots” to target “the safety and security of Arbaeen visitors.” "The first plot involved the manufacturing and planting of explosive devices along the routes used by pilgrims,” while “the second plot was to poison the food containers provided to the pilgrims,” in addition to setting fire to the makeshift service processions that offer accommodation, food, and beverages to Arbaeen visitors.” The mid-Euphrates region includes the provinces of Babil, Karbala, Najaf, al-Qadisiyyah, Muthanna, Dhi Qar, Maysan, Basra, and Wasit. Millions of pilgrims from these areas are currently journeying to the shrine city of Karbala to participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein ibn Ali - the grandson of Prophet Muhammad - who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. This year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage is set to culminate on August 15 in Karbala. The Karbala Investigations Court further stated on Sunday that ISIS had recruited the captured individuals through a process that “began with brainwashing,” followed by “integrating them into groups for distorted religious indoctrination,” and ultimately “forcing them to pledge allegiance to the terrorist organization’s leadership.” In a statement issued Sunday, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council called on citizens to remain vigilant and urged families to "closely monitor the online activities of their relatives for any signs of suspicious behavior.” The Council also warned Arbaeen procession organizers to "prevent individuals of unknown identity from accessing areas where food and beverages are being prepared" to ensure the safety of pilgrims. In June 2014, ISIS seized vast areas of northern and western Iraq. Although Iraq declared ISIS territorially defeated in 2017, the group continues to pose a persistent security threat through sporadic attacks, bombings, and abductions - particularly in disputed areas between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), where a security vacuum persists. Since ISIS's defeat, attacks targeting Arbaeen pilgrims have significantly declined, chiefly due to proactive efforts from Iraqi security forces. In September 2019, authorities reported foiling a planned rocket attack on pilgrims. The following year, security forces thwarted three suicide bombings aimed at Arbaeen processions. In 2022, Iraqi security forces said they uncovered a plot to target pilgrims in four provinces, attributing the plan to remnants of the former Baath regime. Arbaeen is the largest annual event in Iraq, reportedly drawing as many as 21.5 million pilgrims in 2024, according to figures from Karbala’s holy shrine directorates. To secure the massive gathering, Iraqi authorities roll out a nationwide security plan each year. In 2024, approximately 40,000 personnel from various state agencies were deployed. This year, similar security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
