CNN, Baghdad, January 23, 2011 — At least six people were killed when car bombs exploded in five different neighborhoods in Iraq’s capital Sunday, police officials said.
At least 30 others were wounded in the attacks. Two police officials in Baghdad said the bombings, which occurred over a three-hour period Sunday morning, appeared to be part of a coordinated attack that showed the hallmarks of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Police said the sites of the bombings, located throughout Baghdad, were an Iraqi police patrol, a busy road, a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims, a street outside a hotel and a commercial area.
One police officer was among the dead and four police officers were among the wounded, police officials said.
The attacks come as key security ministry positions remain vacant in Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s government amid political wrangling. Al-Maliki serves as acting defense, interior and national security minister.
Even as the war winds down, unrest in Iraq persists, with civilians and troops still dying in attacks.
Under a U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, all U.S. troops are to leave Iraq by the end of the year. There are fewer than 50,000 American service members there now.