Wave of car bombs kills at least 30 in Baghdad Published duration 20 July 2013

At least 30 people have been killed in a series of car bombings across the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials say.

The attacks targeted mainly commercial areas in the districts of Karrada, Baiyaa, Shurta, Tobchi and Zafaraniya, police said.

They came at the end of fasting for the day. Muslims are observing the holy month of Ramadan.

More than 2,500 Iraqis have died in violent attacks since April, according to UN figures released this month.

The level of violence is at its highest since 2008, and comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iraq's Sunni and Shia communities.

Sunnis claim they are being marginalised by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's Shia-led government.

Police said Saturday's car bombs exploded in commercial streets as people were out shopping or sitting in coffee shops at the end of the day's fast.

At least eight people died in the northern Tobchi district and four people were killed in the central neighbourhood of Karrada.