Mourners rage at US as blasts death toll could hit 271

SHI'ITE Muslim mourners chanted anti-American slogans yesterday, venting their anger at Iraq's instability after suicide bombings killed up to 271 pilgrims.

As the country began three days of mourning, officials said 15 people, some possibly Iranians, were detained after the attacks.

US officials have put the combined death toll at 170 but Iraq Governing Council President Mohammed Bahr al-Ulloum said up to 271 were killed and 393 wounded in Tuesday's near-simultaneous bombings at Baghdad's Kazimiya shrine and holy sites in Karbala.