Coordinated bombings in Iraq kill dozens as wave of violence persists

Iraqi officials say a coordinated string of bombings that mainly struck Shia neighborhoods in and around Baghdad has killed at least 71 people, extending the worst wave of violence in Iraq in at least five years, which began after a deadly security crackdown on a Sunni protest in April.

Police say bombs were set off in at least 10 different neighborhoods in the capital early Wednesday targeting parking lots, outdoor markets and restaurants. Another 201 were wounded. Medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attacks bore the hallmarks of the Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda. The group frequently targets Shia communities, whose people al-Qaeda considers heretics, often carrying out coordinated bombings in an attempt to incite sectarian strife.

The northern neighborhood of Kazimiyah, home to a prominent, gold-domed Shia shrine, was the worst hit. Two bombs went off in a parking lot in the neighborhood, followed by a suicide car bomber who struck onlookers who had gathered at the scene. Police said a total of 10 people were killed and 27 wounded.

Other areas that were hit included the sprawling slum of Sadr City and neighboring Jamila, and the neighborhoods of Shaab, Shula, and Mahmoudiyah.

The violence follows months of protests by Iraq's Sunni minority against the Shia-led government.

Attacks have been on the rise since a deadly security crackdown by security forces on one Sunni protest in April. The increasingly sectarian nature of the civil war in neighboring Syria is also inflaming Iraq's own post-colonial division between Sunnis and Shia.

In response to continuing attacks, clerics and other influential Shia and Sunni leaders have called for restraint, and security forces have tried to ratchet up counterinsurgency operations.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has vowed to press on with the anti-insurgent campaign, but analysts say the government should focus on resolving anger in the Sunni Arab community over perceived ill-treatment by the Shia-led authorities and security forces.

More than 480 people have been killed so far in August, according to an Associated Press count.

Al Jazeera and wire services