Iraq attacks death toll reaches 22 in one day

Nearly two dozen people have been killed and over 80 others wounded in a wave of attacks in several cities and towns in Iraq, police and medical sources say.

A total of 15 shootings and bomb attacks struck 13 cities and towns across the country on Monday. At least 22 people were killed.

Three women, two children and two men were killed and four others were wounded in bombings targeting three houses in the town of Mussayib, south of the capital, Baghdad.

A roadside bomb in Kirkuk killed five policemen.

Four people died in a car bombing in Baghdad. One person was killed in Latifiyah and another died in an attack in Tuz Khurmatu.

Attacks in the cities of Hilla and Mosul killed two people each.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Bombings and shootings have recently intensified across Iraq.

On December 24, at least 48 people were killed and over 110 others wounded in similar attacks targeting both security guards and civilians across the country, marking the deadliest day in Iraq since November 29, when at least 50 people lost their lives.

The Iraqi government has stepped up efforts to increase security across the country over the past few months.