About 21 people have been reportedly killed and dozens others wounded in a succession of bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Wednesday, security source said.

The bomb blasts which reportedly struck from around 07:30 local time mostly targeted Shia districts of the city, but there was also an explosion in the predominantly Sunni area of Adhamiya.

According to UN report, 979 people - including 158 police and 127 military personnel - were killed in violent attacks in October. More than 6,500 civilians have died since January.

The unrest was sparked by an army raid on a Sunni Arab anti-government protest camp in April.

The protesters had called for the resignation of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and denounced the authorities for allegedly targeting the minority Sunni community.

Sectarian violence has surged across the country in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008.