Coordinated Bombings and Assault Leave Several Dead In Baghdad

Smoke rises from the site of a bomb attack in central Baghdad on March 14.

A string of coordinated bombings and an assault on a government building in central Baghdad have left at least 23 people dead and dozens of others injured.

Officials said at least three bomb blasts, including two car bombs and a suicide bomber, struck near the Justice Ministry and other government buildings on March 14.

A group of gunmen then tried to storm the Justice Ministry and clashed with security forces.

Hundreds of people were reportedly inside the building at the time of the assault.

A ministry spokesman said no ministry employees were hurt, and Iraqiya television reported that security forces evacuated all employees from the building.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault, which came just days before the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP