At least four explosions shook the capital’s central Allawi district, near the ministries of justice, foreign affairs and culture, an office of the communications ministry and other government offices.

Police said two car bombs were detonated, one of them near the Justice Ministry building, before a bomber blew himself up near an Interior Ministry.

A second bomber then walked into the Justice Ministry and militants attacked the building, engaging in a gun battle with Iraqi security forces.

Among the dead were at least six policemen and 12 civilians, police and medics said.