Deadly Iraq bombings

At least 14 civilians were killed in Iraq on Tuesday as unidentified assailants carried out separate attacks on several cities across the country, according to medical and security officials.

In the eastern city of Baqouba, which lies some 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of the capital, Baghdad, three separate car bombs were detonated. Police reported at least eight deaths and more than 30 people wounded in the attack.

To the south of Iraq's capital, shootings and another bombing claimed several more lives.

Gunmen stormed a house in the city of Yusufiya, approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of Baghdad. Two of the six victims had reportedly been performing the ritual cleansing of a recently deceased man ahead of his funeral, according to the news agency AFP.

In the neighboring city of Latifiyah, at least two people were killed and an additional seven wounded when a bomb exploded near a cafe.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

Violence has returned to levels not seen since Iraq's 2006-2007 sectarian war, during which tens of thousands of people lost their lives. More than 4,000 people have been killed since the beginning of this year, including 800 people in August alone, according to United Nations figures.

kms/mkg (AP, AFP)