Attacks in Baghdad as well as northern and western Iraq killed at least nine people on Tuesday, the latest in a months-long nationwide surge in bloodletting.

Attacks in Baghdad as well as northern and western Iraq killed at least nine people on Tuesday, the latest in a months-long nationwide surge in bloodletting.

The rise in violence, which has killed more than 6,200 people this year, has prompted the authorities to appeal for international help in combating militancy ahead of general elections due in April.

Bombings on Tuesday hit west Baghdad, as well as Abu Ghraib, Mosul and Tarmiyah.

In the deadliest attack, twin roadside bombs exploded near municipal offices in Tarmiyah, a town just north of Baghdad that has seen multiple deadly attacks in recent weeks.

When onlookers gathered at the scene, two suicide bombers blew themselves up.

Overall, seven people were killed and 15 wounded, two security officials said.

Violence elsewhere in Iraq left two people dead and more than a dozen wounded, according to security and medical officials.