Millions of pilgrims gathered in Iraq's holy city of Karbala amid tight security on Wednesday to mark Arbaeen, the annual commemoration of the end of the 40-day mourning period after the seventh century martyrdom of a central figure in Shiite Islam.

Iraqi state-run media said Wednesday that more than 22 million pilgrims have visited Karbala, setting a record for the annual pilgrimage.

Iraqi authorities said last year's Arbaeen drew 17 million pilgrims.

On the walk to Karbala, which can take up to two days, pilgrims said security was the main topic of conversation, closely followed by politics.

ISIS controls large parts of northern and western Iraq, including the city of Ramadi, some 90 miles (140 kilometers) north of Karbala. On Monday, a suicide bomber targeted pilgrims in Baghdad, killing nine people and wounding another 21, according to Iraqi security officials.

...