Ankara: Iraq announced that it had successfully thwarted a plot by the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group to attack Shia pilgrims in Karbala, a city central to Shia Islam.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Karbala Investigation Court, as reported by the state news agency INA, revealed that 23 suspects, including one woman, were detained during raids conducted across southern Iraq, the Middle Euphrates, and Baghdad.

The suspects reportedly confessed to orchestrating attacks meant to disrupt the safety and security of pilgrims attending Arbaeen. This significant event marks the conclusion of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in battle in 680.

Each year, thousands of Shia pilgrims make the journey on foot to Karbala to participate in the Arbaeen ritual, recognized as one of the largest gatherings in the Shia religious calendar.