DHAKA: Violence across Iraq, including a spate of evening bombings against markets and cafes in Baghdad, killed at least 26 people and a dozen militants.

Iraq officials said Monday, reports daily Hurriyet.

The attacks on Sunday were the latest in a protracted surge in violence that has forced Iraq to appeal for international help in combatting militancy just months before its first general election in four years.

The deadliest attacks struck in Baghdad, where a wave of evening bombings targeted civilians in both Sunni and Shia neighbourhoods of the capital.

From the evening onwards, four car bombs and three roadside bombs hit areas ranging from the Shiite slum neighbourhood of Sadr City in northeast Baghdad to the western Sunni suburb of Radhwaniyah.

A car bomb also went off in the centre of the capital, while blasts also struck a market in south Baghdad and a cafe in the north.

Overall, at least 21 people were killed and more than 60 wounded, according to security and medical officials.

BDST: 1941 HRS, NOV 18, 2013
RoR/JCK