Najaf police search for eight suspects in stabbing of religious service tent volunteers

NAJAF — Police are searching for eight suspects accused of stabbing four members of a religious service tent near al-Amoud 78 on the Najaf–Karbala road following a dispute over a parked vehicle. One of the victims remains in critical condition at Al-Sadr Hospital, authorities and eyewitnesses said.

The confrontation occurred at a mawkib, a volunteer-run service tent set up to assist pilgrims, particularly during major Shiite religious observances like Arbaeen. The tents typically provide food, water, and lodging to travelers.

Col. Mufid al-Zahir, spokesperson for Najaf police, said the incident began as a verbal dispute. “The altercation occurred near al-Amoud 78 due to a dispute over vehicle parking between members of a Hussaini service tent and residents of a nearby house,” he told 964media. “The victims filed a formal complaint at the al-Wafa police station, and our forces are continuing the search to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

One of the injured, Muhaannad Kitab, said the dispute began when a car was parked in front of the tent’s kitchen entrance. “We asked them to move the vehicle so it wouldn’t obstruct our work, but they delayed,” he said. “The next day, they claimed the car was parked in front of their house and said they were upset, even though we hadn’t caused any harm.”

Kitab said their own car tires were later deflated, and when they went to inquire, the group was ambushed. “Eight people, including brothers and cousins, assaulted us. I was stabbed six times in the back. My nephew was hit in the head with a metal object and stabbed six times. My brother was stabbed near his ear and again in the hand, and a neighbor who tried to intervene was stabbed four times,” he said. “All I want now is justice. This wasn’t a random fight. It was a deliberate and harmful attack.”

Another victim, Fadel Kitab, said the attackers arrived armed. “They came directly at us. I was stabbed in the hand, my son suffered a head injury that required six stitches, and my brother’s lung was punctured from six stab wounds to his back. His condition is still unstable,” he said. “They also smashed our car and slashed the tires. We’re only asking that the law take its course and the attackers be held accountable.”

The incident follows a deadly July 19 shootout in Basra’s Abu Al-Khaseeb district that left six people dead and five wounded. That clash also occurred at a religious service tent and stemmed from a longstanding family dispute that turned violent during preparations for Arbaeen. Authorities arrested 12 suspects, seized weapons and vehicles, and opened a criminal investigation.