Suicide bomber strikes pilgrims in Iraq, kills 18

updated 8:48 p.m. ET Aug. 14, 2008

BAGHDAD - A woman suicide bomber struck Shiite pilgrims south of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 18 people and wounding scores of others after the government announced new measures to protect worshippers ahead of a major religious festival.

Also Thursday, the U.S. military announced that six Navy guards face trial for allegedly assaulting prisoners and releasing pepper spray into a cellblock following a disturbance at the main U.S. prison in Iraq.

The woman bomber detonated her explosives among a group of pilgrims resting by the side of a road in Iskandariyah, a former Sunni insurgent stronghold 30 miles south of Baghdad. Women were cooking dinner, men were praying and children were playing nearby when the attacker struck, a witness said.

"Minutes after I passed the resting spot, I heard a big explosion. I turned my head and saw big flames," said Ahmed al-Saadi, a 34-year-old carpenter from Baghdad's Sadr City district. "We rushed to the scene and saw charred bodies, while wounded people were crying for help. Pots and burned prayer rugs were scattered all over the place."

Conflicting casualty tolls
There were conflicting casualty tolls as is common in such attacks where bodies are mangled and identification is difficult.

The U.S. military put the death toll at 18, including one policeman and 17 civilians, and said a lone woman bomber was responsible. A senior provincial security officer said 26 people were killed and 75 wounded. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not supposed to release the figure.

The fact that such a brazen attack could take place in an area where U.S. and Iraqi officials had touted major security improvements is an ominous sign of the risks still posed by extremists.

The pilgrims were marching to the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, to celebrate the birth of Mohammed al-Mahdi, the 12th Shiite imam, who disappeared in the ninth century.

Devout Shiites believe he will return to restore peace and harmony. The ceremonies reach their high point this weekend.

Witnesses interviewed in an Iskandariyah hospital spoke of horrific scenes of mangled flesh and screaming victims.

Khazim Jabir, 39, from the Baghdad neighborhood of Hurriyah, said he was walking near a group of pilgrims receiving food and water when he heard a thunderous explosion.

"Seconds later, I saw fire and flaying pieces of flesh," he said. "I fell down and I was able to see one of my legs bleeding. People were running in all directions."

Yassir Ibrahim, 28, also from Baghdad, said his hands were injured by the blast.

"I don't understand the reason for attacking us," he said. "We were only heading to a holy place."

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