Iraqi officials say a series of bomb attacks has killed at least 26 people in Baghdad and in towns south of the capital.
Back-to-back explosions at a pet market in Baghdad's predominantly Shi'ite neighborhood of Kazimyah killed more than a dozen people. The blasts took place while the market was crowded with shoppers taking advantage of the Friday holiday.
A similar attack took place in the town of Shomali, in Hillah province, south of the capital. Two bombs exploded nearly simultaneously in a crowded market, killing at least six people.
The death toll from the attacks could rise as scores of people were wounded by the blasts.