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Bombs Kill Dozens in Baghdad Shi'ite Districts


Iraqi authorities say a wave of car bombings has hit predominantly Shi'ite areas in and around the capital, Baghdad, killing at least 46 people and wounding many more.

At least seven bombs exploded on commercial streets across the city late Saturday, when many residents were shopping or relaxing in cafes after breaking the daily Ramadan fast. The deadliest attacks happened in the Baghdad districts of Karrada and Tobchi.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings. Minority Sunni militants linked to al-Qaida frequently target Iraq's majority Shi'ites in revenge attacks aimed at pushing the country toward a civil war.

Militants have killed around 500 people in Iraq since the beginning of July, in a continuation of increased violence that has plagued the country for months.

But the monthly casualties remain well below the peak of Iraq's sectarian conflict in 2006 to 2007.

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