Iraqi capital hit by fatal attacks
Eleven people killed and dozens injured as car bombs and mortars hit two areas in the Iraqi capital, officials say.
A series of attacks in Shia neighbourhoods in Baghdad have killed eleven people, Iraqi officials say.
The attacks, which also wounded 32 people and damaged nearby cars and houses, struck the adjoining northern areas of Shuala and Chikouk on Tuesday morning.
The deadliest attack happened when four parked cars packed with explosives detonated simultaneously in Shuala, a police officer said.
Another police officer said two mortar rounds landed in Chikouk, killing two people and wounding 10.
An interior ministry official put the overall toll from the attacks at 11 dead.
“We were sleeping, and my daughter and son were preparing to go to school when the bomb went off,” said Abu Ali, the owner of the house in Shuala that was worst hit. “Thank God no one was in the kitchen, and no one in our family was badly hurt”.
The attacks came as Iraqis prepare to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begins on Friday. The days
leading up to the annual holiday are often marked by a spike in violence.
Twelve people were killed in nationwide violence on Saturday, with the deadliest incident then also targeting a Shia area of north Baghdad.