Baghdad , Iraq ( CNN ) -- Iraqi forces have tightened security in and around the Shiite holy city of Karbala as tens of thousands of pilgrims pour in ahead of this weekend 's culmination of a revered mourning period . Scores of pilgrims -- who make the journey on foot -- have been killed and wounded in recent days in attacks that have been blamed on Sunni extremists , who have routinely targeted the pilgrims . On Thursday , at least two pilgrims were killed and more than a dozen wounded in two attacks south of Baghdad , the Interior Ministry said . In Latifiya , a roadside bomb detonated near Shiite pilgrims walking to the southern city of Karbala , killing at least one pilgrim and wounding six others , the ministry said . In a separate attack , a parked car bomb exploded near the city of Hilla , killing at least one pilgrim and wounding 10 others , the ministry said . The attacks coincide with a political deadlock -- which has the government divided along sectarian lines -- that is raising fears , in the wake of the U.S. military 's withdrawal from Iraq , of a return to the sectarian bloodshed that nearly tore the country apart during the height of the war . Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered security tightened following a series of attacks on pilgrims . Security forces have sealed roads and increased the number of checkpoints on the main roads leading into the city , a three-day walk south for pilgrims making their way south from Baghdad . The pilgrimage , known as Arbaeen , marks the end of a 40-day mourning period that commemorates the seventh century death of Imam Hussein , the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed . Hussein was killed during a battle near Karbala for control of the Muslim nation following Mohammed 's death in 632 . Hussein 's death led to a split between Sunni and Shiite Muslims . During Saddam Hussein 's rule , the Sunni leader forbade pilgrims from making the journey on foot . He also banned some ritualistic practices . Following the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam , the pilgrimages grew in numbers . This year 's pilgrimage comes just weeks after the U.S. military pulled its troops from the country ahead of an end-of-the-year deadline to withdraw . `` We are used to bombings . It is normal for us to face that in our daily life , '' said Said Duraid Mohammed , a pilgrim . `` And for the pilgrimage and Imam Hussein , we are ready to step on the bombs . '' Another pilgrim , who identified himself as Mohammed , said he was going to Karbala in spite of the danger . `` We are going to mourn Imam Hussein , even if the terrorists bomb us and kill us , '' he said . `` We are still going . '' At least 12 people were killed and more than 50 wounded Monday in car bomb attacks on two predominantly Shiite communities in Baghdad . On January 5 , a suicide bomber struck an army checkpoint in the southern city of Nasiriya where pilgrims were gathered , an attack that killed at least 44 people and wounded 70 others .
Iraq : Two pilgrims killed and many injured in attacks nationwide . Thousands of Shiite pilgrims are making their way to Mecca to mark victory . Scores of pilgrims have been killed in attacks blamed on Sunni extremists . Iraqi security forces have sealed roads around Mecca .