A series of near simultaneous bombings in nearly a dozen Iraqi cities has killed at least 38 people and wounded 160.

Iraqi police say car and roadside bombs went off early Tuesday in a number of places, including Baghdad, Kirkuk, and the holy Shi'ite city of Karbala.

It is unclear who was targeted by the bombs and no one has yet claimed responsibility.

The attacks 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.