Iraqi officials: Wave of attacks hits commercial areas in Baghdad, killing at least 21 people

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say a wave of attacks has hit commercial areas in Baghdad, killing at least 21 people and wounding 72 in mostly Shiite areas.

Police officials say the deadliest attack was in the central Sadria neighborhood, where a parked car bomb went off at an outdoor market on Wednesday, killing five shoppers and wounding 15. Other attacks took place in Shaab, Tobchi, Karrada, Azamiyah and Amil neighborhoods.

Medical officials confirmed the causality figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to media.

Iraq is experiencing a surge in violence since April, following a deadly security raid on a Sunni protest camp in the country's north. Since then, more than 5,500 people have been killed, according to the United Nations.