Baghdad: Iraqi officials say a car bomb exploded on a commercial street in northern Baghdad, killing at least six people.
Monday's attack comes as the visiting U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon called on Iraq's leaders to “address the root causes” of a surge in bloodshed as al-Qaida militants battle government forces and allied tribal leaders for control of a volatile mainly Sunni province west of the capital.
Police and hospital officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information, said those killed were civilians and 13 people also were wounded.
Violence has surged as extremist militants have tried to position themselves as the champions of Iraqi Sunnis angry at the Shiite-led government over what they see as efforts to marginalize them.