• The deadliest strike hit Karbala, where two car bombs exploded in a crowded shopping area
• The attacks come nine years to the day that a U.S. led army invaded Iraq
  
• Insurgents are seeking to disrupt Arab summit next week and officials expect more attacks
  

ByJill Reilly

Near-simultaneous bomb blasts in several Iraqi cities killed 39 people and left 198 injured earlier today, on the ninth anniversary of the U.S.- led invasion of the country.

The violence comes just days before Baghdad hosts a landmark Arab summit and are the deadliest to hit Iraq in nearly a month.

In the capital, a car bomb exploded in a car park opposite the foreign ministry, according to security and medical officials - despite high security in preparation for the March 27-29 Arab League summit.

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Destroyed: Iraqi security forces inspect the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk, 250 km north of Baghdad - the violence comes just days before Baghdad hosts a landmark Arab summit

Blast: Today Iraqi security forces were seen inspecting the site of a bomb attack in Hilla, 100 km south of Baghdad, which killed two people and injured more than 20 others

The deadliest strike hit the holy Shiite city of Karbala, where officials said two car bombs exploded in a crowded shopping and restaurant area.

Thirteen people were killed and another 50 injured, said local provincial council member Hussein Shadhan al-Aboudi.

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