About 16 mortar shells have barraged the Shia dominant area of Khalis, north of Baghdad, killing at least 7 and wounding 24 Iraqis.

Some Iraqi officials have said that the series of deadly bombings show that insurgents are finding new ways to skip strict security measures.

The violence occurred as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki hurried to maintain his falling government, with more talks expected on seeking support for a new alliance that would ensure a parliamentary majority to pass legislation.

About 16 mortar shells rained on houses in the Sharqiya residential area in Khalis, 80 kilometers north of Baghdad, police said on Saturday adding that 24 people were also wounded in addition to the seven killed.

Khalis is a mainly Shia area in the volatile Diyala province and is frequently targeted by suspected Sunni insurgents.

Farther to the north on Friday, a series of bombs struck a commercial area in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing at least four people and wounding 38 others.

MMA/KB