At Least 40 Dead In Baghdad, Basra Bombings

Residents gather at the site of a bomb attack in Basra on May 20.

Iraqi officials say at least 27 people have been killed in a series of car bomb attacks in mainly Shi'ite districts of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

The May 20 attacks, which targeted bus stations and outdoor markets, wounded more than 100 people.

The blasts came shortly after two car bombs detonated in Shi'ite-majority areas in the southern city of Basra, killing at least 13.

Tensions between minority Sunni Muslims and majority Shi'a appear to have reached their highest level since U.S. troops pulled out in December 2011.

Sunni's have accused the Shi'ite-led government of marginalizing and persecuting their community and leaders.

Iraq has seen a spike of attacks over the last week, including a series of bombings on May 17 that left at least 75 people dead across the country.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa