BBC: Dozens killed in Baghdad attacks

BBC is reporting the latest grisly sectarian violence: "Gunmen in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have killed at least 40 people at a fake police checkpoint, in an apparent sectarian attack against Sunni Muslims.

Police say Shia militants stopped cars in the western Jihad district, separated Sunnis and shot them.

Later, at least 17 people died when two car bombs exploded near a Shia mosque in the capital, police said.

There has been an upsurge in sectarian violence in Iraq in recent months, raising fears of a civil war.

Sunni Arabs say government-backed Shia militias are behind many of the attacks. But officials have denied any involvement."