Iraq Women Banned at Shrine to Thwart Female Bombers

Security forces can't search women
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 7, 2009 6:25 AM CST
Iraq Women Banned at Shrine to Thwart Female Bombers
An Iraqi soldier guards the holy Shiite shrine of Imam Abbas in Karbala, where security has been stepped up. Women are now banned from a Baghdad shrine to protect against female bombers.   (AP Photo/ Ahmed Alhussainey)

In a bid to ward off female bombers, officials have banned women from a Shia shrine during one of the holiest times of the year, reports the BBC. Because Iraq security forces lack female members, women cannot be searched for bombs. Women are now banned at the Imam Mousa al-Kazim shrine in Baghdad, a target last weekend of a deadly attack by what was initially reported to be a female suicide bomber. Security has also been stepped up in Karbala.
(More religion stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X