Security forces have carried out major operations against Iraqi militants in recent weeks, but the action has so far failed to stem the worst violence to hit the country in five years.

The six car bombs and a roadside bomb struck six different areas of the capital on Thursday morning also wounding more than 70 people.

In the single deadliest attack, a car bomb exploded at a bus station in the Kadhimiyah area of north Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding 24.

Another car bomb exploded in Baladiyat near an office of Al-Ahad television.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but foreign backed militants including those linked to Al-Qaeda are frequently committing such attacks.

The violence came a day after attacks including a blast at a cafe north of the capital killed 17 people.

On Wednesday, Maliki said security forces would continue large-scale efforts to hunt militants.

He said more than 800 alleged militants had been detained and dozens of others killed, and that security forces had destroyed militant infrastructure used to make car bombs and seized a large amounts of weapons and explosives.

NJF/NJF