Iraqi officials: Wave of attacks in commercial areas kills at least 19 people

BAGHDAD – Officials say a wave of bombings targeted commercial areas across Iraq has killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens.

Police say the deadliest attack Tuesday took place in the revered Shiite city of Karbala, where a car bomb killed four civilians and two policemen. That explosion wounded 16 other people. Karbala is about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of Baghdad.

Another explosives-laden car went off in the town of Iskandariyah, 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Baghdad, killing five civilians and wounding 13 others. Eight other civilians were killed in separate attacks in Baghdad and outside the southern city of Najaf.

Medical officials confirmed the causality figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.