BAGHDAD — Suicide attackers struck near a Shiite mosque north of Baghdad and a checkpoint west of the capital on Monday as bombings killed at least 17 people nationwide.
The violence was concentrated in former Sunni insurgent strongholds that have seen a sharp decline in violence after local tribal leaders turned against al-Qaeda in Iraq. Despite the relative calm, a series of deadly bombings have raised concerns about a resurgence of violence as the U.S. military scales back its presence, with a full withdrawal planned by the end of 2011.
The attacks — which mainly targeted checkpoints and Iraqi policemen — also highlighted the weaknesses in the Iraqi security forces, which are struggling to prove they are ready to take over from the Americans.
The deadliest attack was a suicide car bomber who struck a line of vehicles waiting to be inspected before crossing a bridge near the Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, police said.
The blast set half a dozen other vehicles ablaze, killing three policemen and five civilians and wounding 16 other people, according to police and hospital officials.
Hours later, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of a Shiite mosque in Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, killing at least five people — three policemen and two worshipers — and wounding 20, according to police and hospital officials.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has sought to reassure Iraqis that the U.S.-trained security forces are capable of taking over from American troops.
