BAGHDAD, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two car bombs went off simultaneously on Wednesday in Baghdad, killing at least 32 people and leaving 28 others injured, police said.

    The explosions took place at a market in Bayaa, a Shiite district in southwestern Baghdad, at dusk when the people were about to have their dinner in the holy month of Ramadan, a police officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    Earlier on the day, a series of bombings struck Iraq's two northern provinces and killed at least 17 people.

    The attacks marked the bloodiest day since the beginning of the Muslim's Ramadan or month of fast about two weeks ago.

    "There was an increase in violence in the past few days. We had been expecting it," U.S. military spokesman Major General Kevin Bergner said at a press conference in Baghdad.