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Authorities: Bombs kill 40 in Iraq capital

BAGHDAD - Authorities in Iraq say a series of car bombs targeting commercial streets have killed at least 40 people in the capital, Baghdad.

Police say the first attack took place Saturday night in Baghdad's western district of Baiyaa, killing nine people and wounding 22.

Later on, police say six car bombs in different parts of Baghdad killed at least 31 people and wounded 51. Police say all the attacks happened in a one-hour period.

Hospital officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details to journalists.

Violence in Iraq has spiked following a security crackdown on a Sunni protest camp last year. According to United Nations figures, 8,868 people were killed in Iraq in 2013.

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