Bombs kill at least 22, wound 42 in Baghdad

A suicide bomber struck a crowd of curiosity seekers gathered around the site of another blast in north Baghdad and at least  22 people were killed and 42 wounded in the two explosions, police said.

The twin blasts occurred moments apart during the morning rush hour in the Kasrah section of Azamiyah neighborhood in the Iraqi capital.

Police said the first explosion occurred in a car. The second happened when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt in the middle of a crowd that had gathered around the vehicle.

Police were unsure how many people died in the car and how many were killed by the second blast. Police officials who gave the toll spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not supposed to release the information.

Violence is down significantly in Baghdad since the worst of the Sunni-Shiite fighting in 2006 and 2007.

In recent weeks, however, there appears to have been an uptick in small-scale bombings during the morning rush hour - targeting Iraqi police and army patrols, government officials heading for work or commuters, in an attempt to undermine public confidence.

The continuing attacks show the determination of extremist groups to continue the fight against the U.S.-backed government and lie behind U.S. military concern about drawing down the 151,000-member U.S. military force too quickly.

A still unratified security agreement with the U.S. would keep American soldiers here until 2012.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to withdraw all combat troops within 16 months of taking office Jan. 20, although he has said he would consult with the Iraqi government and U.S. commanders before ordering any drawdown.