Baghdad car bombs kill at least 12

Medical officials say at least 29 people were injured

BAGHDAD: Two car bombs exploded in the Iraqi capital on Monday, killing at least 12 people and wounding at least 29, security and medical officials said.

One exploded on a main commercial street in the Mashtal area of east Baghdad, while the other hit a similar road in Amriyah in the capital's west.

There was no immediate claim for the attacks but the Islamic State (IS) militant group has claimed multiple car bombs in Baghdad in recent weeks.

The city is hit by near-daily bombings and shootings that kill hundreds of people each month.

And security forces, despite being deployed at checkpoints and other positions across the city, are consistently unable to prevent the attacks.

The violence comes as Iraqi security forces and pro-government fighters battle to push back IS, which has seized significant territory since June.

They are now backed by US-led air strikes targeting IS in both Iraq and neighbouring Syria, while Washington and other governments have also pledged training personnel to aid Iraqi forces.