BAGHDAD, Iraq (CBS) -- Police and hospital sources in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have confirmed three car bombs killed 23 Shi'ite Muslims during mourning processions on Tuesday (November 27).
Dozens were also injured in the explosions.
The deadliest attack on Tuesday occurred in the Shuala district, where a car bomb parked outside a Shi'ite place of worship exploded as people were leaving the building, killing nine.
There was also a fatal blast outside a mosque in the northern Hurriya district, where seven people died.
Local resident, Ahmed, was among dozens who came to inspect the damage on Wednesday morning.
"Yesterday during the time of sunset prayer, or about 30 minutes later, a car bomb exploded when we were at home. My neighbour was killed and my house, my neighbour's house and the mosque were all damaged by blast. What is the fault of the people? What did we do? And what is the fault of those people who were killed in the blast? About seven people were killed and 20 others were wounded, the people are innocent," he said.
The blasts struck during the holy month of Ashura, of special significance to Shi'ites who are prime targets of al Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate and other Sunni Muslim insurgents.
Attacks on Iraqi Shi'ites tend to increase during Ashura, but Tuesday's was the first major one so far this year.
Violence in Iraq has eased since the carnage of 2006-2007, but Sunni Islamists still launch frequent attacks, seeking to reignite sectarian strife and undermine the Shi'ite-led government's claim to provide security.