Baghdad Shia areas hit by deadly car bombs

At least 21 people have been killed following a series of car bombs mainly targeting Shia areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, officials say.

About 100 people were injured, police sources told the BBC.

The attacks came on the 10th anniversary of the US-led campaign in Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Violence has decreased sharply from its peak, but a low-level Sunni insurgency continues, with an average of more than 300 people killed each month.

On Monday, a total of 10 car bombs were set off, officials said.

They said car bombers and an explosive device struck across Baghdad, while a suicide bomber and further car bombs hit a town south of the capital.

Police also said three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been set off and guns fired in the northern region of Kirkuk.

The attacks came amid heightened security in Baghdad, including newly formed checkpoints, Agence France-Presse reported.

One report quoted police as saying the attacks had targeted street restaurants, daily labourers and bus stops, and spanned a period of about one hour.

Later, BBC reporters heard a further explosion, and a plume of black smoke was seen over the capital.