Iraqi merchants at the Shurja market take care of their shops after insurgents set off a roadside bomb at one of Baghdad's most visited shopping areas, 30 August 2006

Iraqi authorities say at least 40 people have been killed and more than 70 wounded in multiple bomb attacks Wednesday.

The first attack took place at an army recruiting center in southern Iraq, in the town of Hilla. A time bomb planted on a parked bicycle exploded and ripped through a crowd of young men outside the military office, killing 12 of them and wounding 38.

In Baghdad, police say at least 24 people were killed and 35 were wounded by a bomb that exploded in the commercial neighborhood of Shurja where clothing and household products are sold.

Three more people were killed and others were injured by several other bomb blasts in different parts of the Iraqi capital.

Today's attacks took place despite an intensified security clampdown in Baghdad by U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.