BAGHDAD: Officials say a market bombing and an attack on policemen's homes on Friday killed nine people in central Iraq.

Police officials say a bomb went off inside a crowded outdoor market in the town of Youssifiyah, just south of Baghdad.

The attack killed five shoppers, and wounded 15 other people.

Earlier in the day, bombs exploded near several houses belonging to policemen in the central city of Baqouba, killing four people, including a woman. The explosives appeared to have been planted just outside the homes.

Ten people were wounded in that attack.

Baqouba is a former Al Qaeda stronghold 60 kilometres northeast of Baghdad.

Hospital officials confirmed the casualty figures for both attacks. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.