Biodun@bbcnews.com

20 January 2011 Last updated at 10:17 ET

Struggle for Iraq

by Nasra Ismail, BBC News Middle East Desk, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla

Two bomb attacks near the Iraqi city of Karbala have killed at least 50 people and injured more than 150, officials say.

The blasts occurred on two routes being used by pilgrims taking part in the Shia Muslim festival of Arbaeen.

Earlier, a suicide bomber killed at least three people in the central city of Baquba - the second deadly attack in the city in as many days.

Violence in Iraq has reduced in recent years, but attacks continue.

Thursday's bombings occurred near two police checkpoints on the outskirts of Karbala.

It is unclear whether they were caused by suicide bombers. At one appears to have been a car bomb, officials say.

No group has said it carried out the attacks, but correspondents say they bear the hallmarks of Sunni militant groups.

More than a million Shia pilgrims are expected to visit the city for Arbaeen, which is set to climax on Tuesday.

Major Recent Attacks in Iraq

18 January 2011: Suicide bomb attack on Tikrit police recruitment centre kills at least 60
2 November 2010: Series of Baghdad bomb attacks kills 70 people
31 October 2010: Botched hostage-taking at Our Lady of Salvation Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad kills 50
19 September 2010: Series of bomb attacks in two neighbourhoods of Baghdad kills more than 20
25 August 2010: String of attacks targeting Iraqi security forces and checkpoints across the country kills more than 50

The festival marks 40 days since the anniversary of the death of the 7th Century Imam Hussein, who is revered by Shias.

The bombings came hours after an attacker blew up his vehicle outside police headquarters in Baquba, killing three and wounding about 30.

On Wednesday another suicide bomber in the city targeted a police compound, killing 14.

Separately on Thursday, a roadside bomb appeared to target Shia pilgrims in southern Baghdad, killing one worshipper and wounding nine.

And on Tuesday in Tikrit, the home town of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, a suicide bomber joined a queue of about 100 police volunteers and killed about 60 of them.

US forces formally ended their combat operations last August, ahead of a planned full withdrawal later this year.

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MIDDLE EAST

Struggle for Iraq

Major Recent Attacks in Iraq

by Nasra Ismail, BBC News Analyst, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla

MIDDLE EAST

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Struggle for Iraq

Major Recent Attacks in Iraq

by Nasra Ismail, BBC News Analyst, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla