These are the shattered remnants of the house of a tribal sheikh in southern Baghdad, the scene of deadly bomb blasts on Wednesday.

Iraqi police say at least nine people were killed and 17 wounded when the house of Sheikh Hatim al-Mansouri was targeted by unknown assailants who planted three bombs.

Al-Mansouri - a tribal sheikh and leader of the local awakening council - was unhurt in the explosions.

The reason for the attack is unclear.

More than 140 people have been killed in June in bombings targeting mainly Shi'ite pilgrims and shrines as political and sectarian tensions in Iraq remain high.

Simon Hanna, Reuters.