Car bombs at market in central Iraq kill 14

BAGHDAD: Back-to-back car bombings at a market in central Iraq killed at least 14 people on Monday, officials said, the latest in a spike in violence that has ravaged the country in recent weeks.

Three parked car bombs exploded virtually simultaneously, tearing through a wholesale vegetable and fruit market in the town of Jidaidat al-Shatt in Diyala province. The town is just outside the provincial capital of Baqouba, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

The explosions also wounded 34 people, said police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Iraq is facing a spike in violence, with recent monthly death tolls rising to levels not seen since 2008. According to the United Nations, at least 1,045 Iraqi civilians and security personnel were killed in May. The tally surpassed April’s 712 killed.

The three car bombs used in Monday’s attack were put in different locations in and around the town market in order to inflict most damage and casualties, the police officials said.

Medics said that some people died of their wounds in the hospitals. Provincial councilman Sadiq al-Husseini confirmed the casualty figures.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Monday’s attacks, but car bombs are a favorite method used by Sunni extremists.