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Violence in Iraq as Shi'ite Muslims Mark Ashura

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Iraqi police say a roadside bombing in Baghdad Saturday killed at least two people who were taking part in a Shi'ite Muslim religious procession.

The attack, in the New Baghdad district, also wounded eight others.

Iraqi authorities have boosted security measures as hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims flock to Iraq's holy shrine city of Karbala for the solemn Ashura holiday.

Worshipers travel to the shrine each year to mourn the seventh-century killing of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Several pilgrims were killed earlier this week in a spate of attacks targeting worshipers.

On Friday, a roadside bomb blast killed at least six Shi'ites in the eastern Baghdad district of Sadr City.

Other attacks this week in the city of Mosul targeted the Christian minority as they celebrated Christmas.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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