Iraqi Popular Mobilization Authority revealed on Sunday the start of a joint security operation between the Iraqi army and police, south of Samarra Governorate.

The Popular Mobilization Authority confirmed the launch of the operation in order to prevent any security breach by terrorists, according to a statement published by the Iraqi News Agency.

"A joint force of the army and the emergency police, with the participation of the 43rd Brigade of Salah Al-Din operations in the Popular Mobilization, launched an operation to search the eastern and western Hadera areas south of the holy Samarra," the statement said.

Regarding the goals of such operations, the statement clarified that "this operation comes within the plans established to secure the roads of the pilgrims of the two military imams (peace be upon them) and to sustain the security and operational effort and prevent terrorist groups from any security breach targeting the pilgrims."

This joint operation comes after millions on Saturday commemorated the fortieth anniversary of Imam Hussein, as Iraqis and visitors from various countries flocked to Karbala governorate, under strict security measures in the south of the capital, Baghdad.

Read: 20 million Muslims commemorate Arbaeen in Iraq