Iraqi security forces fired shots into the air during a clash between units of the Iraqi army and members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (also known as “Hashed al-Shaabi”) on Thursday in the holy Shia city of Karbala, days before millions are expected to gather for the Arbaeen pilgrimage. The confrontation occurred around five kilometres from Karbala’s old city in the early hours of the morning. Four vehicles belonging to the PMF attempted to pass through an Iraqi army roadblock on a street designated for pedestrian pilgrims, an interior ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymit…