51 killed by Baghdad car bombs

Two car bombs have exploded in Shiite areas of Baghdad killing 51 people, medical and security officials say.

Police said the first attack was a double car bombing in a shopping area of Sadr City, a Shiite area in the east of the city, killing 31 people and wounding 34 others.

Later on in the night, another car packed with explosives detonated in the nearby area of Ur, also predominantly Shiite, killing 11 more people.

Medical officials confirmed the death toll.

Baghdad has been on edge since Sunni militants led by the Islamic State extremist group seized the northern city of Mosul in June and threatened the capital.