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Multiple car bomb attacks hit Iraq Multiple car bomb attacks hit Iraqi cities
(about 1 hour later)
At least 26 people have been killed and many others injured in a series of car bomb attacks in central and southern Iraq, officials say. More than 30 people have been killed and many others injured in a series of car bomb attacks in central and southern Iraq, officials say.
Baghdad was worst hit. At least five car bombs exploded near bus stations and outdoor markets in mainly Shia Muslim districts of the capital. Baghdad was worst hit, with eight explosions near bus stations and outdoor markets in mainly Shia Muslim districts of the capital.
Two bombs went off earlier in the day in the southern city of Basra.Two bombs went off earlier in the day in the southern city of Basra.
The attacks come amid a recent rise in violence in Iraq linked to growing political and sectarian tension.The attacks come amid a recent rise in violence in Iraq linked to growing political and sectarian tension.
In Monday's violence, at least 20 people died in Baghdad at bus stops and market places.
The bombs in Basra, a mainly Shia Muslim city, killed at least 11 people. Dozens more were wounded in both cities, police said.
No group has said it carried out the attacks, but tension between the Shia Muslim majority, which leads the government, and minority Sunnis has been growing since last year.
Sunni demonstrators have accused the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of discriminating against them - something the government denies.
Violence has increased since more than 50 people died in clashes between security forces and Sunni Arabs in April, when an anti-government protest camp was raided in Nawija near Kirkuk.
At least 60 people died in three bombings in Sunni Muslim areas in and around Baghdad on Friday. Those bombings followed deadly attacks on Shia targets across Iraq.At least 60 people died in three bombings in Sunni Muslim areas in and around Baghdad on Friday. Those bombings followed deadly attacks on Shia targets across Iraq.
On Sunday, at least 10 policemen were reported killed in north-western Iraq in attacks blamed by the authorities on Sunni militants.On Sunday, at least 10 policemen were reported killed in north-western Iraq in attacks blamed by the authorities on Sunni militants.
Basra, a mainly Shia Muslim city, had been seen as relatively peaceful, but there too, violence has increased in recent months. Basra, a mainly Shia Muslim city, had been seen as relatively peaceful, but there too, violence has risen in recent months.
In March a car bomb in the city killed 10 and wounded many others. On Saturday gunmen there shot and killed a Sunni Muslim cleric. In March, a car bomb in the city killed 10 and wounded many others. On Saturday gunmen there shot and killed a Sunni Muslim cleric.
In Monday's attacks, at least 16 people died in Baghdad and more than 10 in Basra, officials said. The increasing number of incidents has raised fears that Iraq could return to the worst of the sectarian conflict seen in 2006 and 2007.