Iraqi officials: Back-to-back explosions at Baghdad pet market kill 10, wound 35 people

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say back-to-back explosions in a Shiite district of Baghdad have killed at least 10 people and wounded 35.

Two police officers say a bomb hidden in a box went off at a pet market Friday in northern Kazimyah area. In a second blast, a parked car exploded.

A health official confirmed the causality figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to release information.

Every Friday, thousands of Iraqis converge on pet markets to shop and spend family time during the Muslim weekend. The markets are a frequent target for militants who seek to inflict large numbers of causalities.

Despite a drop in violence, insurgents carry out near-daily attacks on security forces and civilians in an attempt to undermine the Shiite-led government.