BAGHDAD (AP) — Two car bombs have struck in a Shiite holy city in Iraq, raising the death toll in a morning of attacks across the country to 23.
The spate of violence on Tuesday comes days before Baghdad hosts the Arab world’s top leaders.
Local politician Hussein Shadhan al-Aboudi says the car bombs hit a crowded shopping and restaurant area in Karbala, located 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad. He said 10 people were killed and another 20 were wounded in this attack.
Karbala is a destination for thousands of Shiite pilgrims from around the world each day to visit the golden shrines of two revered imams.
Attacks in four other cities — Baghdad, the northern city of Kirkuk and two southern towns — largely appeared to target police forces.
