Two Iraqi army members among 16 dead

BAGHDAD, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Three separate attacks in Baghdad and Basra left at least 16 people dead and more than 30 injured, Iraqi officials said Tuesday.

In Basra, an Iraqi officer was killed and two other people were injured in an attack against a patrol in the city's Abu al-Khaseeb area, a Basra police spokesman told KUNA, the Kuwait news agency.

In Baghdad, two car bombs exploded in separate locations Monday, killing 15 people -- including two Iraqi army personnel -- and wounding at least 29, the multinational force said in a statement.

The attacks occurred in the Karradah security district. The first car exploded at an intersection, killing 10 people and wounding 20, the statement said. The second bomb detonated at a gas station, killing five people and injuring nine.

"We believe both events were the work of al-Qaida in Iraq," said the military spokesman said.

Iraqi security sources indicated the target was a headquarters for the Sahwa Council, where leaders and members were meeting, KUNA reported.