By Anas al-Bar | 2024-09-05

Armed clashes in Karbala between Iraqi security forces and Iran-aligned militias during the Arbaeen pilgrimage reflect the Iranian regime's efforts to exercise hegemony over the holy cities in Iraq through its proxies, analysts said.

The clashes sparked renewed calls in Iraq to curb the Iranian regime's expansionist agenda, and to stand against its proxies' plans to swallow up official institutions, encroach on Iraqi sovereignty and terrorize Iraqi citizens.

Violent skirmishes broke out August 22 between Iraqi soldiers and militiamen of Iran-aligned Jund al-Imam, as thousands of pilgrims arrived in Karbala by foot for the annual pilgrimage.

The clashes began when an army force prevented Jund al-Imam vehicles from crossing through a checkpoint into central Karbala, witnesses told Al-Fassel on condition of anonymity.

As part of the plan to protect the pilgrimage, Iraqi soldiers established a tight cordon around the city center from all the main entrances, including the Tuwairij entrance in Qantarat al-Salam, where the clashes took place.

According to witnesses, the soldiers said they had strict instructions not to allow any militants to pass into the city, since it is a demilitarized zone. But militiamen defied orders to withdraw, and a volley of bullets was fired into the air.

"Panic and chaos spread throughout the place," one witness said. "Visitors, including women and children, started running in all directions to take cover from the bullets that were flying over their heads."

Iraqi security personnel quickly secured the area, and six militiamen were detained for investigation, according to media reports.

Violation of sovereignty

"This breach was contained," an official source told Al-Fassel, crediting the coordinated plan security forces used to protect the pilgrims.

Iraqi Center for Strategic Studies director Ghazi Faisal Hussein told Al-Fassel the Karbala clashes were a new violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

"What happened affects the security and safety of citizens and harms the government and the great national effort made to secure the visit," he said.

"It is impossible to talk about stability and prosperity in the presence of armed groups operating outside the law, attacking official institutions and trying to terrorize people," Hussein said.

Political analyst Tariq al-Shammari pointed to Iran's quest to exercise hegemony over Karbala and other holy cities.

The clash reflects the danger posed by "the Iranian project," which has imposed Iran-backed militias by force and interfered with legitimate state forces as they protect the country, he told Al-Fassel.

He urged a halt to "the spread of chaotic armed groups supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and their violations against official institutions."