Baghdad: At least seven killed in holy day bus ambush

At least seven people were killed and another seven wounded when gunmen ambushed a Baghdad bus carrying Shiite pilgrims marking the Ashoura holy day in Iraq today.

Armed men drove by the bus in two cars and opened fire on the occupants, then sped away, police said.

The attack occurred about 10.30am local time in the western district of Hay al-Amil, a religiously mixed area.

Police said the pilgrims were heading north to Kazimiyah, which is home to the most important Shiite mosque in the capital. At least seven people were killed and seven others wounded, police said.

The ambush was the latest in a series of attacks against Shiites ahead of Ashoura, a commemoration of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

It also came one day after authorities said they killed the leader of a heavily armed cult of messianic Shiites intent on targeting pilgrims in the holy city of Najaf.