A series of near simultaneous explosions in several Iraqi cities has killed at least 26 people and wounded dozens of others.

Iraqi police say bombs went off early Tuesday in a number of places, including Baghdad, Karbala, and Kirkuk.

There are few details so far on the attacks which come on the heels of the ninth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the late dictator Saddam Hussein and just ahead of next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad.