Car bombs kill 14 Shi'ite Muslims in Iraqi capital

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Three car bombings killed 14 Shi'ite Muslims during mourning processions in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Tuesday, police and hospital sources said, the

Dozens more were injured in the explosions. They struck during the holy month of Ashura, of special significance to Shi'ites who are prime targets of al Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate and other Sunni Muslim insurgents.

Attacks on Iraqi Shi'ites tend to increase during Ashura, but Tuesday's was the first major one so far this year.

The deadliest attack on Tuesday occurred in northwest Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding at least 22, police and hospital sources said. In the Shuala district, a bomb in a car parked outside a Shi'ite place of worship exploded as people were leaving the building.

"I saw lots of blood on the ground," said policeman Hashem Abbas, who witnessed the blast. He said shoes and torn clothing were scattered around the area.

Violence in Iraq has eased since the carnage of 2006-2007, but Sunni Islamists still launch frequent attacks, seeking to reignite sectarian strife and undermine the Shi'ite-led government's claim to provide security.

(Reporting by Kareem Raheem; Writing by Isabel Coles; Editing by Mark Heinrich)