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The blasts were the latest in a series of attacks by insurgents seeking to re-ignite sectarian violence and undermine the Shiite-led government's efforts in maintaining security.

The bombings targeted an outdoor pet market in Baghdad's northern Kazimyah neighborhood and in a vegetable market in the town of Shomali in Hillah province, south of the Iraqi capital.

Every Friday, Iraqis converge on markets to shop and spend family time during the Muslim weekend. Markets are a frequent target for militants who seek to inflict large numbers of casualties.

In Baghdad, the first car bomb exploded around mid-morning at the entrance to the Kazimyah market, two police officers said. When panicked shoppers tried to flee the area, a second parked car exploded a few meters (yards) away, according to the officers.

At least 14 people were killed and 42 were wounded in the two blasts, police said. All the victims were civilians.

About an hour later, two car bombs exploded simultaneously at the Shomali market, killing at least six people and wounding 15, two police officers said.

Health officials confirmed the casualty figures in each attack. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Despite a drop in violence since the worst sectarian fighting in 2006-2007, insurgents carry out near-daily attacks on security forces and civilians in an attempt to undermine the Shiite-led government.

The bombings come amid worsening sectarian tensions, with Sunnis and others saying that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki and his political bloc are seeking to monopolize power before provincial elections in April.

In a bird market in Khadumiya north of Baghdad the Shiite majority city, twin car bombs exploded, killing 16 people killed and wounding 45 others, according to security and medical sources. That blasts fit the pattern of deadly attacks on markets on Fridays, when they are typically crowded with people.

"I come to the bird market each Friday to sell and buy birds," Waleed Salman, 28, said from his hospital bed after he was wounded in his leg and back in the bombing. "I love birds as they are a sample of peace, all we want is peace but we always find blood. I lost my birds and my people today."

In Hilla province two car bombs exploded, one at a parking lot and another at a market in Shomali district south of Baghdad. The two explosions killed 10 people and wounded 40 others, security officials said.