On the night of 8 March 2021, unidentified militants attacked Shiite pilgrims outside the Imam al-Kadhim Shrine in Baghdad’s Khadhimiyya neighborhood using a hand grenade. Iraqi authorities stated that the grenade was hidden in a trash can on al-Aimah Bridge, which connects the shrine to the rest of the neighborhood. The bombing killed one person and wounded 30 others. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Analyst Comment: The attack occurred during the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam al-Kadhim and was timed to inflict maximum casualties. Organizations with assets and personnel in Iraq should exercise caution during religious holidays in the country due to the heightened threat of sectarian-motivated attacks.
