Residents of this Baghdad suburb clean up debris in the aftermath of deadly bombings.

Late on Tuesday, three separate car bombs killed at least 23 Shi'ite Muslims taking part in mourning processions in the capital.

Dozens more were injured by the blasts blamed on al Qaeda militants and Sunni hardliners, who don't believe Shi'ites are true Muslims.

Sectarian violence tends to increase during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, with Tuesday's attack the first major assault so far this year.

The deadliest blast was in the Shuala district near a Shi'ite place of worship as people left the building, killing nine.

SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LOCAL RESIDENT, ABU HAIDER, SAYING:

"A car was parking there at the time of sunset prayers. There were many people gathering during prayer time, then the car exploded. The barber and shop's owner were killed in the attack while the muezzin of the mosque was wounded. Other people were also killed and wounded."

Violence in Iraq has eased since its high in 2006 and 2007, however Sunni Islamists are seeking to reignite tensions and undermine the Shi'ite-led government.