Iraq violence upsurge kills 53 people

A series of violent attacks across Iraq have killed at least 53 people and left scores wounded.

Several bombs exploded in the northern, ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk, while other blasts took place in and around the capital, Baghdad.

Many of the attacks targeted security forces.

The upsurge in violence coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Authorities are trying to thwart further possible attacks as crowds gather in public places such as parks, shrines and mosques to celebrate the holiday.

Officials said more than a dozen explosions and shootings took place across Iraq.

Eleven people were killed and 41 wounded in an explosion near an ice cream shop in Baghdad's Sadr City district on Thursday evening.

BBC