Blasts apparently caused by car bombs have shattered three police stations in Iraq's second city of Basra, killing or injuring scores of people.
Reuters news agency quoted police and witnesses as saying a car carrying children to kindergarten had been caught in one of the blasts.
Gunmen also reportedly launched a fierce attack on US marines surrounding the central Sunni city of Falluja.
About 35 militants attacked with guns and grenades, AP news agency reports.
The gunmen struck in the north of the city, mounting a "massive" barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, the agency said.
Explosions could be heard throughout Falluja as marines were put on high alert, it added.
'Vehicle-based'
AFP news agency quoted hospital sources as saying 30 people were killed in the Basra attacks.
Iraqi police told Reuters that mortar bombs had hit two police stations in the central Ashar district while a third station was targeted in the Old City.
However, a UK military official in the city suggested the three explosions, which all came at about 0715 (0315 GMT) had been caused by car bombs.
"They were vehicle-based improvised explosive devices," Squadron Leader John Arnold told Reuters.
Link
EDIT: Fixed link
Reuters news agency quoted police and witnesses as saying a car carrying children to kindergarten had been caught in one of the blasts.
Gunmen also reportedly launched a fierce attack on US marines surrounding the central Sunni city of Falluja.
About 35 militants attacked with guns and grenades, AP news agency reports.
The gunmen struck in the north of the city, mounting a "massive" barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, the agency said.
Explosions could be heard throughout Falluja as marines were put on high alert, it added.
'Vehicle-based'
AFP news agency quoted hospital sources as saying 30 people were killed in the Basra attacks.
Iraqi police told Reuters that mortar bombs had hit two police stations in the central Ashar district while a third station was targeted in the Old City.
However, a UK military official in the city suggested the three explosions, which all came at about 0715 (0315 GMT) had been caused by car bombs.
"They were vehicle-based improvised explosive devices," Squadron Leader John Arnold told Reuters.
Link
EDIT: Fixed link
