Baghdad/Cairo, Aug 24 (DPA) Two bomb blasts near the Iraqi city of Kut claimed at least 15 lives Monday, reported broadcaster Aswat al-Iraq quoting security sources.

The bombs detonated in two buses which were headed from Baghdad to Kut, the capital of the Wasit province. At least nine passengers in one bus were killed, along with 11 wounded. At least six died and 10 were injured in the other bus.

The dead included women and children.

The Iraqi government is coming under increasing pressure for a series of attacks in recent weeks, which came after US forces withdrew from regular patrols and the Iraqi government insisted it could provide security without US assistance.