Baghdad market blast, 22 kiled, injured mostly Shia Muslims

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - A bomb exploded in a crowded market in the Iraqi capital on Thursday, killing at least seven people and wounding 15 mostly Shiite Muslims, officials said.The blast in the Dura area of south Baghdad marks the latest in a spate of attacks at markets, which are frequently targeted by militants seeking to cause maximum casualties.Iraq is witnessing the worst violence since 2008, when the country was just emerging from a brutal foreign backed sectarian conflict.Earlier on Wednesday, a coordinated assault against local government and police buildings in northern Iraq and other attacks across the country have killed at least 43 people and injured dozens more.All of the deadly incidents occurred on Wednesday, a day after 25 people were killed in bombings and shootings across Iraq.In the northern town of Hawija, militants attacked local government and police buildings with bombings and mortar fire, sparking clashes that claimed 14 lives.The dead included at least seven civilians and three army soldiers. The clashes also injured 22 people. The militants retreated after reinforcements arrived.With the latest violence, more than 680 people have been killed this month and over 4,500 since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources./129