At least 31 people have been killed in Iraq as a series of blasts targeted a Shia election rally in Baghdad. Several people were seriously injured in the attack, which took place at a rally for the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq party, according to BBC News.

The attack - claimed by al-Qaeda-linked militants - comes less than a week before Iraqis are due to head to the polls in parliamentary elections.

Iraq has been enduring the worst unrest since it pulled back from the brink of civil war in 2008. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - an al-Qaeda offshoot also known as ISIL - said it had carried out Friday April 25 attack.

Three bombs exploded as people left the rally. The first two blasts were caused by truck bombs and the third by a roadside bomb.