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2004 Karbala and Najaf bombings

UNSOLVED2004Karbala and Najaf, Iraq3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

On 19 December 2004, car bombs detonated in two Shia holy cities in Iraq: one tore through a funeral procession in Najaf, and another struck the main bus station in nearby Karbala. The combined attacks killed 66 people and wounded 191 others.

The bombings targeted civilian gatherings in two of Shia Islam's most significant cities, striking a funeral procession and a transportation hub, both places where large numbers of civilians would be present.

Regarding responsibility, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group, Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn (also known as "al-Qaeda in Iraq"), stated that it was not responsible for these attacks. No group has been confirmed as the perpetrator.

Key facts

Victims
On file
Date
2004
Location
Karbala and Najaf, Iraq
Case status
unsolved

Case timeline

  1. 2004-12-19

    Car bombings strike a funeral procession in Najaf and the main bus station in Karbala, Iraq, killing 66 people and wounding 191.

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People

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Places

Karbala and Najaf, Iraq

32.6160, 44.0249

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
Car bombings struck a funeral procession in Najaf and the main bus station in Karbala, two Shia holy cities in Iraq, on 19 December 2004, killing 66 people and wounding 191.
Where did the crime happen?
Karbala and Najaf, Iraq.
What is the current status of the case?
Status: unsolved.
More cases in Iraq

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDIC2004 Karbala and Najaf bombingsWikipedia · 2026-07-10
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — edition.cnn.comedition.cnn.com · 2026-07-10
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — english.peopledaily.com.cnenglish.peopledaily.com.cn · 2026-07-10

Record history

First published
JUL 11, 2026