A wave of deadly attacks has shattered the peace in Iraq during the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Officials say nearly 30 people were killed in a series of explosions and shootings on Saturday, many of them Shi'ite pilgrims.

The deadliest attacks happened in Baghdad where an explosion at an open-air market and a bus station killed more than 15 people and wounded dozens more, many of then women and children.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks.

Sunni insurgents and al-Qaida militants have previously targeted Shi'ites in a bid to stir up sectarian strife in Iraq.

Violence across Iraq is down sharply from its peak in 2006 and 2007. However, 365 people were killed in unrest in September, making it the country's deadliest month in two years.

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