A bomb attack at a market in central Baghdad today killed at least 13 people and wounded some three dozen.
The bomb was hidden in a box carrying pigeons when it detonated at about 10am local time at the Souq al-Ghazl, or Spinning Market, which attracts buyers, sellers and farmers peddling birds, dogs, cats and other animals, including sheep and goats.
A witness said a man arrived with an egg carton containing pigeons for sale and that it exploded after he walked away to get a drink.
The attack comes a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced a military crackdown in Baghdad aimed at taking on armed groups.
In a speech to the Iraqi parliament, Mr Maliki urged politicians on all sides to support his Baghdad security plan, backed by some 17,000 US reinforcements, which is seen by many as a last chance to stem sectarian violence in the capital.
Mr Maliki, who has been criticised for not doing enough about Shia militias linked to some of his allies, has vowed to take on armed groups regardless of sect or political affiliation.
Later, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Shi'ite mosque on the outskirts of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, killing one guard and wounding three other people.
Residents said seven people were killed and more wounded, but police said only one person died.