At least 30 people have been killed in a series of bomb blasts across Iraq.
The Iraqi government is preparing to launch a new security plan aimed at stemming sectarian violence in Baghdad, but since it was announced there have been a series of bombings and no sign of any let up in the so-called 'death squad' killings.
In the Karrada district of the Iraqi capital, a car bomb exploded in a shopping district, killing 20 people and leaving another 20 wounded.
The car bomb, which was followed by bursts of gunfire, was one of a string of blasts that hit the city this afternoon.
In the Shorja market, on the east side of the Tigris River, a bomb placed on a motorcycle left four people dead and 20 wounded.
It is understood the device was strapped to a motorcycle which was parked on a road that runs through the market.
A short time later, two bombs exploded seconds apart in a major shopping street in the southwestern district of al-Bayah, killing three people and wounding seven.
Meanwhile, two rockets landed in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. The compound houses the Iraqi government and a number of embassies. There was no immediate word on any casualties.
And west of Baghdad in Fallujah, three people were killed when a suicide bomber tried to force his way into a post office in the centre of the city.
Police said the bomb exploded outside the gate.
Despite the continuing violence, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has insisted that his new crackdown in Baghdad will leave militants 'nowhere to hide'.
In a speech to the Iraqi parliament, Mr Maliki urged politicians on all sides to support the security plan.
