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Vehicle ban imposed in Baghdad

Security measures aimed at preventing attacks during a major Shia religious gathering

BAGHDAD: An uneasy silence cloaked the streets of Baghdad on Saturday at the start of a two-day vehicle ban aimed at preventing attacks during a major Shia religious gathering. Seven pilgrims hoping to join the rally were shot dead in a Sunni neighbourhood.

The victims were among a group of Shias who were sprayed with gunfire by assailants driving in a car late on Friday in Adil neighbourhood in western Baghdad, said police Lt. Maitham Abdul Razzaq.

It was an ominous start to the ceremonies that mark the death in 799 A.D. of Imam Moussa Kadhim, one of the 12 major Shia saints. The rally, which will reach a climax on Sunday, will take place around the imam's shrine in Kazimiyah in northern Baghdad.

About 1,000 people died during last year's commemoration when rumours of suicide bombers triggered a mass stampede on a bridge across the Tigris River. It was the biggest single day death toll since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

The vehicle ban went into effect on Friday night and was expected to remain until Monday morning.

Heeding the warning, no cars and very few people were seen on the streets except police and army vehicle patrols. Although residents were allowed to walk to work, most appeared to be staying at home.

But the area around the shrine in Kazimiyah was bustling with activity.

A Government statement said it was ``absolutely forbidden'' to carry weapons, cell phones and any type of bags, even plastic ones into the shrine.

The ceremonies are taking place during a major U.S.-Iraqi security operation aimed at curbing Sunni-Shia violence.

American and Iraqi forces arrested three death squad leaders who were involved in the massacre of 41 Sunnis in Baghdad's Jihad neighbourhood last month, the U.S. military announced.

On Friday, the Iraqi Government announced that Jordan's Ambassador Ahmed al-Lozi presented his credentials to President Jalal Talabani on Thursday.

Jordan is the first Arab state to send a fully accredited Ambassador to Iraq, a major display of political support for its U.S.-backed Government.

Insurgents have warned Muslim countries not to cooperate with the Iraqi Government and have kidnapped and slain many Muslim diplomats in the past one year.

Egypt sent an Ambassador, Ihab al-Sherif, last year but he was kidnapped in July 2005 and assassinated before presenting his credentials.

The United States has long urged Iraq's Arab neighbours to upgrade diplomatic relations to the ambassadorial level.

But the Arabs had been stalling due to violence as well as concern over the Shia-led Government's dealings with the Sunni minority, which forms the foundation of Iraq's insurgency, and the Government's ties to Shia-dominated Iran. — AP

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