The attacks, two of them using suicide car bombs, occurred in or on the edge of the frequently targeted districts of Kadhimiyah and Sadr City.

In third attacks, police officials in the Iraqi capital say a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a police checkpoint in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood, killing 12 people.

The officials say the blast took place in the eastern Habibiya district of Baghdad on Monday evening. They say at least 20 people were wounded in the attack.

Hospital officials confirmed the casualties. All spoke anonymously as they are not authorized to brief the media.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, which came as many Iraqi Shiites families were celebrating a major Shiite holiday and the city streets were especially crowded for the occasion.

On Monday a motorcycle packed with explosives detonated in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, killing at least 4 people and wounding 20 others, according to local police.