DHAKA: At least 21 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a series of bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, security officials and medics say.

The bombs mostly targeted Shia districts of the city, but there was also an explosion in the predominantly Sunni area of Adhamiya.

The blasts reportedly struck from around 07:30 (04:30 GMT) onwards, reports the BBC.

Sectarian violence has surged across the country in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008.

The UN says 979 people, including 158 police and 127 military personnel, were killed in violent attacks in October. More than 6,500 civilians have died since January.

The unrest was sparked by an army raid on a Sunni Arab anti-government protest camp in April.

The protesters had called for the resignation of Shia prime minister Nouri Maliki and denounced the authorities for allegedly targeting the minority Sunni community.

Iraq has also seen a spill-over of violence from the conflict in Syria, where jihadist rebels linked to the Islamic State of Iraq, a Sunni militant umbrella group that includes al-Qaeda, have risen to prominence.

BDST: 1345 HRS, NOV 20, 2013
RoR/BSK