Attacks in Baghdad and northern as well as western Iraq killed nine people on Friday, the latest in a surge of bloodshed ahead of a general election.

Attacks in Baghdad and northern as well as western Iraq killed nine people on Friday, the latest in a surge of bloodshed ahead of a general election.

The shootings and bombings, which also wounded dozens more, came with campaigning in full swing for the April 30 election and with violence at its highest level since 2008.

Apart from the capital, Friday's attack struck in and around the cities of Mosul and Samarra to its north, and Ramadi and Fallujah to its west.

At least nine people were killed and 30 wounded, security and medical sources said.

Militants also destroyed a bridge just north of the capital by setting off several bombs along it.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in Iraq so far this year, according to an AFP tally.