Liberation of Jurf Al Sakhar

The Iraqi government's effort to integrate a Shiite militia, the al-Hashd al-Shaabi, into the country's security forces is concerning as it might increase Iran's influence with Baghdad, a U.S. general said on Nov. 30. 

Iraq stepped up security amid fears of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) launching major attacks as thousands of Shiites flocked Monday to the shrine city of Karbala for an annual pilgrimage.
      

A car bomb blast targeting Shiites in Baghdad ahead of the major Ashura religious commemorations killed at least 13 people on Nov. 2, security and medical officials said.
      
The blast struck near a tent from which they were distributing tea and water in the Al-Ilam area in southwest Baghdad, also wounding at least 29 people, the sources said.
      

Iraqi government forces retook four villages on Oct. 26 near a mountain ridge overlooking supply lines, security officials said, in a campaign which has struggled to make advances against the Sunni Islamist insurgents.