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Deadly car bombings hit Baghdad Deadly car bombings hit Baghdad
(about 4 hours later)
A series of three car bombs in central Baghdad has killed at least four people and wounded about 14, Iraqi police say.A series of three car bombs in central Baghdad has killed at least four people and wounded about 14, Iraqi police say.
The blasts occurred outside the heavily fortified Green Zone near the Iranian embassy, the foreign ministry, and a popular restaurant, reports say.The blasts occurred outside the heavily fortified Green Zone near the Iranian embassy, the foreign ministry, and a popular restaurant, reports say.
There has been a recent upsurge of violence in the city. A week ago, at least 127 people were killed in multiple car bombings. It was followed by another co-ordinated car bomb attack in the northern city of Mosul where four people were killed and 40 injured.
Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq ahead of March polls.Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq ahead of March polls.
The blasts happened within minutes of each other shortly after 0730 local time (0430 GMT). There has been a recent upsurge of violence in Baghdad. A week ago, at least 127 people were killed in multiple car bombings.
The latest attacks come days after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed opposition rivalry for security lapses.
Booby traps
The blasts in Baghdad happened within minutes of each other shortly after 0730 local time (0430 GMT).
Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq before elections
"Dear God, how on earth do the police and soldiers let these booby-trapped vehicles through," Um Ali told Agence France Presse.
Her son Maki, 28, was seriously wounded in the blast.
"A man left his car this morning and headed off almost at a run. When my son approached the vehicle, it blew up," she said.
Police officials told reporters they had found and defused a fourth bomb in a pick-up truck nearby.
It carried seven explosive devices, police said.
School children
Soon after the Baghdad blasts, twin car bombs were detonated near Christian churches in Mosul.
As emergency services and rescuers gathered at the site of the one bomb, a second went off.
DEADLY ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Mar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and KarbalaNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in TalafarApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadAug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarAug 2009: 95 killed in lorry bombs in BaghdadOct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in BaghdadDec 2009: At least 127 killed in a series of car bombs in Baghdad Source: News agencies, BBC
Some of the wounded were schoolchildren, police and medics told reporters.
Another bomb went off at a church in another part of town, but no-one was injured.
Mosul remains a stronghold of Sunni Islamist militants, and Christians have been frequent targets of violence since the invasion in 2003.
Attacks
Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months.Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months.
DEADLIEST ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Aug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadMar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and KarbalaOct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in Talafar Source: News agencies, BBC But in early December at least 127 people were reported killed in five connected suicide car bombs targeting government-run buildings.
In October, however, co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad. In October co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad.
There have been a number of attacks since then - including last week's co-ordinated car bombings.
Correspondents say that besides occasional massive bombings, insurgents also stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.Correspondents say that besides occasional massive bombings, insurgents also stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.
Security has been heightened ahead of March's parliamentary elections.Security has been heightened ahead of March's parliamentary elections.