Two bombings northern Baghdad and other attacks killed at least 37 people on Thursday, officials said, as Iraq struggles with its worst violence in years.

Two bombings northern Baghdad and other attacks killed at least 37 people on Thursday, officials said, as Iraq struggles with its worst violence in years.

In the deadliest attack on Thursday, an explosives-rigged motorcycle ripped through an area of motorcycle shops in Sadr City district of Baghdad, killing at least 27 people and wounding 45.

And a car bomb in Sadr City killed at least one person and wounded five.

The capital is hit by near-daily bombings and shootings, including periodic coordinated vehicle bomb attacks that leave dozens of people dead.

In Mishahada, north of Baghdad, a car bomb exploded near an army patrol, killing at least two soldiers and wounding three.

Other attacks hit areas in northern Iraq.

A roadside bomb exploded near a Sahwa anti-Al-Qaeda militia patrol in the Sharqat area, killing two fighters and wounding four, while a roadside bomb near a police station in Tuz Khurmatu killed two people and wounded 15.

And three soldiers died in clashes with militants in Kirkuk province.

Security forces are often targeted by militants opposed to the Iraqi government.

The latest deaths came after violence killed 13 people on Wednesday.

Nationwide, violence has killed more than 710 people since the beginning of the month, and over 1,700 so far this year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.