A wave of deadly bombings struck Irag capital Baghdad on Wednesday, leaving at least 25 dead and over 30 injured. The attacks occurred in the heavily occupied Green Zone, home to Iraqi government buildings and the US embassy.
CNN reports that the attack occurred near the security checkpoint entrances to the Green Zone. Baghdad officials say the deadliest attack occurred in a popular restaurant just outside the area.
The second blast went off near Iraq's Foreign Ministry building, and the third hit Al-Sanak, a central commercial area of Baghdad. Reports are unclear as to whether the bombings were car bombs or suicide bombers.
CBS News reports that this attack is part of a series led by Sunni militants, trying to undermine confidence in the Shiite-led government. These extremist Sunnis are emboldened by the success of similarly-aligned Syrian militants, and increasing hostility toward the Iraqi government.
Nickolay Mladenov, the UN's representative in Iraq, condemned the bombings and related violence.
"Baghdad today regretfully suffered a series of terrorist attacks," Mladenov said. "Those who orchestrate such attacks should be condemned by all political, religious and civic leaders in this country. Iraq political leaders should show national unity in dealing with such threats and unite against terrorism."
This isn't the first time terrorists have targeted Iraqi government buildings. In 2009, al Qaeda staged mass bombings on the Foreign Ministry and Finance Ministry buildings.