Two car bombs exploded near Iraqi police patrols in southern Baghdad on Thursday, killing four police commandos and wounding 16, including three civilians, police said.

"Two suicide car bombers blew up their cars near patrols of Iraqi police commandos in Siteen Street in Baghdad's southern Seha district, killing four commandos and wounding 13 others," an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Three civilians were also wounded in the blasts, the source added.

Earlier, the source said Iraqi security forces could not enter the scene as unidentified gunmen controlled the area following the blasts.

The source said the police had called for backup from the Iraqi army and other security forces to regain control of the area.

Violence continued on Thursday after more than a dozen bombings ripped through Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least 160 people and wounding 570.

Source: Xinhua