October 8, 2021
In recent years, Arbaeen has normally drawn multiple millions to Karbala in Iraq for the Shiite mourning ceremonies. Iraq sought to restrict those numbers severely this year because of the coronavirus. It said it would allow only 30,000 Iranians to attend. The Islamic Republic objected strenuously. Eventually, Iraq agreed to allow 60,000 to come but only by air, with no walkers allowed to cross the border. Nonetheless, thousands converged on the border crossing at Shalamcheh in the south and one person was reported killed as the crowd stormed the gates.