Twin blasts in Baghdad ‘kill 23’

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At least 18 people have been killed in two large, near-simultaneous explosions in Baghdad, officials say.

The blasts hit the Al-Bunuk neighbourhood of north Baghdad and the residential district of Mansur, in the west of the Iraqi capital.

More than 40 people were wounded in the blasts, Reuters news agency reports, quoting police and ministry officials.

The Mansur blast was in front of a mobile phone company office.

But it was not clear if the office was the target. The site is also close to a popular restaurant.

Violence has increased in Iraq in recent months, with most of the attacks targeting Iraqi soldiers and police.

July and August recorded two of the highest death tolls since 2008, according to government figures.

It follows elections in March which produced no clear winner and created mounting uncertainty. Politicians have failed to reach agreement on a new government.

The US military withdrew thousands of its soldiers in August and declared an official end to combat operations, though 50,000 soldiers remain in the country ready to support the Iraqi army.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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