Baghdad blasts

Smoke billows following a blast near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, left, in Baghdad on Wednesday, August 19. A series of explosions targeting government and commercial buildings acoss the Iraqi capital killed dozens of people and left hundreds more injured, officials said.

A passerby reacts as firefighters battle a blaze near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on August 19. A steady escalation of attacks this month has sparked fears of a resurgence of violence ahead of next year's national elections.

Plumes of smoke and dust billow into the sky from the scene of a car bomb near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on August 19.

A wounded man leaves the scene of a massive explosion outside the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on August 19. The force of the blast blew concrete slabs off the front of the 10-story building, shattered windows and crushed cars parked outside.

Burnt cars are seen in front of the damaged Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on August 19. A large area outside the building was covered by debris and broken glass.

Residents and security personnel gather around a giant crater following a bomb attack near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad on August 19.

A weeping wounded woman is helped away from the scene after a massive car bomb in central Baghdad on August 19. It was the deadliest day in the Iraqi capital since U.S. troops largely withdrew from cities on June 30.

Iraqi police officers inspect the damage at Baghdad's Mohammad al-Qassem bridge following a blast near the Iraqi Finance Ministry on August 19.

A massive explosion damaged the Iraqi Finance Ministry in Baghdad on August 19.