Car bombs ripped through commercial areas in and around the Iraqi capital Baghdad today, killing at least 14 civilians.

The deadliest attack took place in Khilani Square, a busy commercial area in central Baghdad, where a car bomb killed at least seven people and wounded 25. The car was parked near a Sunni mosque and a gathering of motorcycle vendors.

Hours earlier, an explosives-laden car ripped through a commercial area in the town of Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, killing at least four civilians and leaving another nine injured.

Three people were killed and 13 hurt in another car bomb explosion in Baghdad's south-western Amil neighbourhood, police said.

Baghdad sees near-daily bombings mainly targeting security forces and the country's Shiite majority. The Islamic State group and other Sunni extremists are believed to be behind the attacks.