Four car bombs struck two outdoor markets in predominantly Shiite areas of Iraq on Friday, killing at least 31 people and wounding dozens at a time of mounting discontent among minority Sunnis.
The bombings in Baghdad and a town south of the capital were the latest attacks by suspected Sunni insurgents trying to re-ignite sectarian violence and undermine the Shiite-led government.
A recent spike of particularly lethal insurgent attacks comes at a time of anti-government protests by Iraq’s disaffected Sunnis, including tens of thousands who held rallies on Friday in western and northern areas.
Demonstrators blocked Iraq’s main highway to Jordan near the city of Ramadi, performing Muslim prayers, the highlight of the religious week.
Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province and a former al-Qaida stronghold that saw some of the fiercest fighting against US forces during the Iraq war.
Protesters have rejected calls by an al-Qaida-linked group that they take up arms against the government, but there is concern militants are trying to exploit mounting Sunni discontent.
Friday’s bombings targeted an outdoor pet market in Baghdad’s northern Kazimyah neighbourhood and a vegetable market in the Shiite town of Shomali in Hillah province, south of the Iraqi capital.