Iraq blasts push Shia death toll past 170

BAGHDAD - Two car bombs tore through parking lots packed with Shia pilgrims yesterday in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, pushing the death toll in a week of attacks to more than 170.

The uptick in violence poses a major test for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's somewhat shaky coalition government as followers of a powerful Shia cleric and key ally demanded he fill key security posts.

The blasts struck as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were massing for religious rituals marking the end of a 40-day mourning period for the Islamic sect's most beloved saint.

The first attack occurred about 7 a.m. in a parking lot near busloads of pilgrims on the eastern outskirts of Karbala, 55 miles south of Baghdad. Six pilgrims were killed and 34 people wounded in that attack.

More than four hours later, a second explosion struck pilgrims on the southern edge of the city, killing at least 20.

The attacks followed a triple suicide bombing last week along two highways leading to Karbala that killed 56 and wounded at least 180, most of them pilgrims.

Hundreds of thousands had gathered in Karbala for ceremonies to mark the seventh century death of the Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. - AP