The bloodiest car bomb attack took place in the mainly Shi'ite Muslim Abu Dsheer district in southern Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding 18.

No group claimed responsibility for the blasts. But al-Qaeda-linked militants are widely blamed for a surge in violence in the past year apparently aimed at undermining the government and provoking a return to all-out sectarian strife.

Al-Qaeda militants and their local allies seized control of Falluja and parts of Ramadi on January 1.

Five of Monday's bombs targeted mainly Shi'ite districts of the capital, while two were in mostly Sunni areas.

Sporadic fighting again flared around Falluja and Ramadi.

In an extended surge of violence, at least 759 people died in December alone. More than 650 have died so far in January.

RA/NJF