10,000 Police Forces Tasked with Ensuring Security of Arbaeen Pilgrims in Western Province
TEHRAN (IQNA) – The police commander of Ilam Province in southwest Iran said 10,000 forces will be used to ensure the security of pilgrims expected to cross the province on their way to the Shia holy sites in Iraq on Arbaeen.
General Nourali Yari said providing security for Arbaeen pilgrims will be the main mission of the province’s police force in the current year.
He added that all necessary preparations have been made to carry out the mission.
Arbaeen marks the 40th day after Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his faithful companions in the 680AD Battle of Karbala.
Each year, a huge crowd of Shias march toward the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.
Last year, more than 2.5 million Iranians were present in the Arabeen march.
The majority of them went to Iraq through the border crossings in Ilam Province.
