Eleven people killed in a car bomb attacks near Suwayrah

Eleven people have been killed in a car bomb attack near the central town of Suwayrah.

Officials say, the attack took place close to a group of Shia Muslims who had gathered to break their Ramadan fast.

At least 20 others were also wounded in the blast.

The explosion sparked a large fire in a nearby market and damaged adjacent houses.

Reports say there has been an increase in sectarian violence across Iraq in recent months amid worsening political tensions.

A local resident, Khalil Ali said, gunmen shot and killed a lawyer and seven members of his family in their home in the town of Beiji.

Last month, more than 240 people were killed in militant attacks.

Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaeda appear to have been behind most of the recent violence.

GBC