At least nine Iraqis were killed and 35 others were wounded Sunday (June 10th) during a mortar attack in Kadhimiya, north of Baghdad, Iraqi police said Monday.

Lt. Col. Falah Fayyadh al-Issawi, director of Kadhimiya's emergency police division, said three mortar shells hit al-Derwaza Square near the shrines of the two imams Moussa al-Kadhum and Mohammed al-Jawad late Sunday night.

Three women and one child were among the victims. After the attack, security forces evacuated the area and instituted a curfew.

The attack comes as Kadhimiya prepares to host thousands of visitors to commemorate the anniversary of al-Kadhum's death on June 18th.