It added that volunteer medical teams have also been stationed in and around the holy city of Karbala to provide the pilgrims with medical and health services.

Elsewhere, a Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd al-Shaabi) officials said the forces are contributing to the efforts to ensure security for pilgrims in this year’s Arbaeen season.

Sadiq al-Husseini said Hashd al-Shaabi forces are cooperating with army and police in maintaining security of roads leading to Karbala.

Arbaeen comes 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (AS).

Each year, a huge crowd of Shias flock to Karbala, where the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) is located, to perform mourning rites.

In the past few years, around 20 million pilgrims from all over the world took part in the mourning ceremonies in the Iraqi holy city marking Arbaeen.

Arbaeen falls on Tuesday, October 30, this year.