More than 3.3 million pilgrims have arrived in Iraq over the past 18 days for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the most significant religious events for Shiite Muslims, according to the Border Ports Authority.

Spokesperson Alaal-Din al-Qaisi said that from August 6 to August 23, a total of 3,367,449 visitors entered Iraq through 10 border crossings, including key entry points at Safwan, Shalamcheh, and Najaf Airport.

Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari, who heads the Supreme Security Committee responsible for securing the pilgrimage, highlighted that this year’s security plan has been notably flexible, with fewer road closures compared to previous years. 

Shammari noted that the committee is actively monitoring the situation from the Karbala Operations Command, working around the clock to manage the influx of pilgrims. The focus is currently on ensuring the smooth flow of visitors from Najaf, Babil, and Baghdad toward the holy city of Karbala.

“We are now focusing on reverse transportation as millions of visitors head to Karbala,” Shammari said, stressing the importance of coordinated government and private sector efforts to facilitate the return of pilgrims to their home provinces.

The Joint Operations Command echoed this sentiment, confirming that all available resources have been deployed to ensure the success of the pilgrimage. 

Tahsin al-Khafaji, the command’s spokesperson, said that this year’s efforts differ from previous years in terms of the scale of state and security force involvement, particularly in transportation and service provision. 

He emphasized that security forces are fully deployed across key routes and are providing necessary services, including intelligence and counter-rumor operations.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani was seen monitoring the Arbaeen proceedings from a helicopter on Saturday.

Video footage shows #Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani watch the proceedings of the Arbaeen pilgrimage from a helicopter pic.twitter.com/wlFRZrHhFJ

— The New Region (@thenewregion) August 24, 2024

The Arbaeen pilgrimage, which falls on August 25 this year, marks 40 days after the death of Imam Hussein in the Battle of Karbala. The pilgrimage is expected to draw millions of Shiite Muslims from Iraq and around the world to the city of Karbala. 

As the date approaches, the security and logistical operations are reaching their peak, with government and religious authorities coordinating efforts to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage.