Iraqi officials say a wave of bombings has hit the capital and cities in the north, killing at least 24 people and wounding more than 60 others.

Authorities said many of the attacks Thursday – a mix of car bombs and roadside bombs – appeared to target security forces.

In Baghdad, multiple blasts killed at least nine people, mostly in Shi'ite areas. One of the attacks hit the convoy of the country's health minister, who was not hurt.

Bombings in Kirkuk killed nine people, while deadly blasts also hit the cities of Samarra, Taji and Ramadi.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings, which broke a period of relative quiet in Iraq.

Sunni Muslim extremists are blamed for most attacks in Shi'ite-majority Iraq.

Near simultaneous suicide attacks and car bombings in eight cities last month killed at least 46 people and wounded more than 200 others. Those attacks came days before Baghdad hosted an Arab League summit.