Iraq's first major religious festival since US troops pulled out of its cities ended largely peacefully today, a sign Iraqi forces may have passed a first serious solo test.
Over the weekend, millions of pilgrims, mostly dressed in black, streamed to the golden domed Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine in northern Baghdad, site of some of the deadliest attacks on Iraqi civilians since the US-led invasion in 2003.
The ritual to commemorate the death of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a medieval Shi'ite Muslim figure, culminated today under heavy security without any of the catastrophic violence that has characterised Iraqi pilgrimages since 2003.
National elections loom in January and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has staked his reputation on better security.
Baghdad security spokesman Qassim al-Moussawi told the BBC Arabic service some five million pilgrims had attended. He said not a single attack had happened in Khadimiya itself. But some bombers nonetheless managed to attack pilgrims in different parts of Baghdad as they traveled to the shrine.
A roadside bomb targeting groups of pilgrims in Zaafaraniya, in southeastern Baghdad, killed one pilgrim and wounded six yesterday, police said. Police said another bomb in the area killed two pilgrims, although an Interior Ministry source said no one was killed in that attack. Other bombs placed on roads teeming with pilgrims wounded many in different districts.
But the strong turnout was a sign of just how far security has come in Baghdad since the 2006 and 2007 sectarian conflict. "This is the biggest (pilgrimage) figure for some time in Iraq," Mr Moussawi said. "It was a real test for our security forces and thanks be to God, they have succeeded."
Shia gatherings are often targeted by Sunni Islamist al Qaeda. In April, suicide bombers killed 60 people by the shrine. During the pilgrimage in 2005, rumours of a bombing on the Bridge of the Imams, leading to the shrine, triggered a stampede that killed 1,000, clogging the river below with bodies.
Prime Minister al-Maliki praised Iraqi troops. "This proved their abilities in performing their duties in a complete way which leaves no room for doubts," he said in a statement.
US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities last month as part of a security pact that paves the way for full withdrawal by 2012, raising doubts in many Iraqis' minds about whether Iraq might backslide into greater sectarian or ethnic bloodshed.
The Kadhimiya site was surrounded by three rings of security personnel to search pilgrims. Helicopters patrolled overhead. As the religious rite ended, pilgrims dismantled the tents they had been using for shelter and prepared to walk home.