Iraq bombings target Shias, kill 43

Bombs mainly targeting Shia Muslims and security forces in Iraq Thursday killed 43 people and wounded 124 in the deadliest day of violence to hit the country in more than two months.

The attacks, the worst since 76 people were killed on September 9, included the second series of bombings against Shias this week, after three car bombs exploded near their places of worship in Baghdad on Tuesday, killing a dozen and wounding scores more.

The Thursday violence brings the number of people killed in attacks this month to at least 147 - 11 more than in October.

Two roadside bombs targeting a group of Shia pilgrims in the city of Hilla killed 28 people and wounded 85 on Thursday, police and medical sources said.

In the shrine city of Karbala, a car bomb exploded under a bridge, killing five people and wounding 13, a police spokesman and a medical official said.

The spokesman said security forces closed off all roads leading to the old city, where Imam Hussein, one of the most revered figures in Shia Islam, is buried.

Security forces were also targeted on Thursday.

A car bomb against an army patrol in Fallujah, west of Baghdad, killed three soldiers and wounded three others and four civilians.

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