At least 17 people were killed on Saturday in a series of car bombings which rocked the Iraqi capital Baghdad, police said, dpa reported.The attacks - involving at least six car bombs - occurred in central and western areas of the city.
Gunmen also attacked a prison in western Baghdad and freed an unspecified number of inmates after clashes with guards, independent broadcaster Alsumaria TV reported.
Security forces meanwhile foiled an attempt by gunmen to storm a shopping mall in the area of Mansour in western Baghdad, the broadcaster said.
Attacks, mostly blamed on Sunni militants, are almost daily occurrences in Iraq.