Bombs, clashes around Iraq kill at least 10 civilians, police; 7 insurgents dead

BAGHDAD – Officials say bomb blasts and clashes in Iraq have killed at least 10 police and civilians and seven insurgents.

Iraq is weathering its deadliest outburst of violence since 2008.

A police officer said a bomb exploded Tuesday afternoon in an open-air market in Baghdad's northern Shula neighborhood, followed by second blast after rescuers rushed to the scene, killing four civilians and two policemen and wounding 18 civilians.

A medical official confirmed casualty figure. Both spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information to reporters.

Another police officer said clashes erupted at dawn between security forces and militants in Baaj, a remote northwestern town near the Syrian border. Four policemen were killed and five wounded, and seven militants were killed.