is travelling to karbala, najaf and ... as a pilgrim, safe or not(now)?

Answer 1

Najaf does not appear to be safe at all. Earlier this month (February) there was a lot of fighting. I don't think it has subsided enough to say that travel there is safe. I would recommend waiting if you want to go to Najaf.

Soldiers were abducted in Karbala in January... My advice would be to postpone your trip to Iraq until a later time. Any country involved in war can be dangerous. Even if things appear quiet and peaceful, incidents can occur at any time, and I don't think it's worth the risk right now.