IRNA� Over 1,900,000 Iranians have so far entered Iraq to attend Arbaeen ceremony in the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS), third Imam of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Infallible Household, an Iraqi official said on Tuesday.


Military Advisor of the Iraqi Interior Minister Major General Mohammad Naser al-Hassan told reporters in Karbala that Iranian pilgrims have started entering the country since the beginning of the lunar month of Safar to go on pilgrimage to the holy shrines.

A number of Iranian pilgrims were taken custody due to their illegal entry to Iraq and lacking visas, he said without giving details.

He said that if Iraqi forces arrest illegal Iranian pilgrims on borders, they will deliver them to the Iranian authorities but if they cross the zero point on border, they will be detained and may stand trial.

Arbaeen marks 40th day since martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions in the plain of Karbala on Ashura Day in 61 A.H.