Nine killed, 27 injured in central Iraq bomb attacks

At least nine people have been killed and 27 others injured in two separate car bomb attacks in central Iraq, police officials said.

According to Iraqi police, a car bomb exploded in Aziziyah town, 55 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, on Tuesday, killing seven people and injuring 20 others.

Earlier, two soldiers were killed after a car bomb went off near an army patrol north of Baghdad. Seven people, including five civilians, were also injured in the attack.

The attacks come a day after at least 55 were killed and 200 others injured in more than 30 attacks across Iraq.

Violence has increased in Iraq in recent weeks as the country is preparing to hold provincial elections on 20 April, the first in the country since 2010.

A total of 14 election candidates have already been murdered.

Iraq’s provincial elections are due to be held in 12 of the country’s 18 provinces and soldiers and policemen cast their ballots for the elections on Saturday, a week ahead of the main vote.

More than 8,000 candidates have registered to compete for the 378 seats up for grabs and an estimated 16.2 million Iraqis are eligible to vote.