Officials: Attacks in western Iraq, south of Baghdad kill 4 policemen, 2 Shiite pilgrims
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Iraqi federal policeman stands guard as Shiite pilgrims march to Karbala for Arbaeen in Baghdad's southern district of Dora, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. The holiday marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of Imam Hussein the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. A suicide bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims in Iraq's capital on their way to Karbala, a holy city, and other violence across the country killed more than 20 people Thursday, officials said. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) (The Associated Press)
Officials say attacks in western Iraq and south of Baghdad have killed six people — four policemen and two Shiite pilgrims.
Police officials say gunmen in a speeding cat opened fire at a police checkpoint in the western city of Fallujah on Saturday morning, killing four policemen.
And in the town of Latifiyah, 30 kilometers (20) miles) south of Baghdad, a mortar shell hit a group of Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy sites in the city of Karbala.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The pilgrims were commemorating Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussein, a revered Shiite figure.
Medical officials confirmed the casualties. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.