Deadly bomb attacks hit Iraqi towns

Authorities say at least 16 people killed in explosions at multiple locations across the country.

Iraq Baghdad map

Bomb attacks in several Iraqi towns have left at least 16 people dead and 50 others injured, in one of the most violent days in the past two weeks.

Two parked car bombs exploded near an entrance of a public market in Mahmodiya, a town 30km south of Baghdad, and another exploded close to the town’s police station resulting in the killing of five people and wounding 28 others, an interior ministry source told Al Jazeera on Sunday.

In Madaeen, a town 30km southeast of the Iraqi capital, three IEDs exploded inside a crowded al-Tameem market just before iftar, killing six people and wounding 13 others, sources said.

And car bombs planted near a public restraunt in Najaf, 160km south of Baghdad, killed five people and wounded 14, while a policeman was killed and 16 others were injured when a car bomb exploded in Mosul district.

Although violence in Iraq has eased since a peak in 2006-2007, deadly attacks are still carried out, especially around the capital.

The past two weeks have seen a lull in violence in the lead-up to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which started in Iraq on Saturday.

Last month at least 237 people were killed and 603 wounded in attacks, making it one of the bloodiest months since US troops withdrew at the end of last year.

Source: Al Jazeera