Car bombs kill at least 56 people in Iraq

Meanwhile, in the northern city of Mosul, a suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden car into a group of soldiers as they were sealing off a street leading to a bank where troops were receiving salaries, killing 14 included five civilians, a police officer said.

At least 30 people were wounded, he added.

Former insurgent stronghold Mosul is located about 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad.

Such systematic attacks are a favorite tactic of al-Qaida's local branch.

It frequently targets civilians in markets, cafes and commercial streets in Shiite areas in an attempt to undermine confidence in the government, as well as members of the security forces.