Iraq Latest: At Least 44 Killed as Bombs Target Pilgrims and Police

UPDATE 1245 GMT: The death toll for the 16 explosions is now at least 65, with more than 200 sounded.

Most of the bombings targeted Shi'a pilgrims, but two hit offices of political parties linked to Kurdish factions.

---

Police and hospital sources reported that at least 44 people have been killed and at least 98 wounded in Iraq today by bombs directed at Shi'ite pilgrims in Baghdad and at police in southern Iraq during religious festival.

At least 18 people were slain as four bombs exploded across Baghdad during preparations to mark the anniversary of the death of Shi'ite Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a great-grandson of Prophet Mohammad.

In the southern city of Hilla, two bombs, including one detonated by a suicide car bomber, exploded outside restaurants frequented by police, killing 22 people and wounding 38. Two more car bombs killed four people in the city of Balad.