Day of Violence Kills 30 in Iraq

Policemen inspect the wreckage of a vehicle after a car bomb attack in Kirkuk, 250 kilometers north of Baghdad, Iraq, July 25, 2013.

A series of deadly attacks has killed at least 30 people and wounded scores more in Iraq.

In the deadliest attack Thursday, at least 16 people were killed, and more than 15 wounded when a bomb exploded outside a cafe north of Baghdad.

Elsewhere, militants set up a fake checkpoint on a highway north of Baghdad to identify and execute Shi'ite drivers. Officials found the bodies of 14 drivers and passengers caught at the checkpoint. All the victims were Shi'ite Muslims.

Iraq has seen a surge in fighting in the past few months, as well as rallies by Sunni minorities against the Shi'ite-led government. In July alone, an estimated 600 people have been killed.

The violence has raised concern of a return to widespread sectarian attacks.