Bomb targeting Shiite cleric’s office in Baghdad in deadliest of attacks killing 33 in Iraq

Bomb targets Iraqi cleric’s office, killing 14

BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials say a car bomb has targeted the main Baghdad office of an anti-U.S. Shiite cleric in the deadliest of a series of attacks that killed more than 30 people.

The violence came days after Iraqi authorities announced the killings of the top two al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in what was seen as a major blow to the insurgency.

Hospital and police officials say 14 people were killed in the attack on Muqtada al-Sadr’s office compound as worshippers were leaving a mosque after Friday prayers. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Bombings also elsewhere in Iraq killed 19 other people in one of the deadliest days the country has seen in weeks.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi officials say a series of bombs targeting Shiite mosques in the capital have killed nine people, bringing the number of dead in violence across the country to 17.

The bombings at three different mosques appeared to be timed to coincide with Friday prayers as worshippers were either going to or coming from worship services.

Police and hospital officials confirmed the deaths on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Earlier in the day, a series of homemade bombs ringed around several homes killed seven people in the western Anbar province.

Another person was killed by a bomb in a Baghdad clothing shop.