The deaths came a day after nearly 60 people were killed in attacks in and around the Iraqi capital, most of them by a suicide bomber who targeted people heading to a mosque in northern Baghdad to mark the anniversary of the death of a religious figure.

The attacks come as Iraq is struggling to seat a government a little over four months after the March 7 election failed to bring about a clear winner to lead the country. As opposing political blocs jockey to form a ruling coalition, the ongoing political uncertainty has raised questions about whether insurgents will try to destabilize the country just as American troops are reducing their numbers to 50,000 by the end of August.