BAGHDAD — Three bomb blasts shortly before sunset Wednesday killed 10 people north of Baghdad in the latest spasm of violence to grip Iraq.

The blasts underscored the volatility of the country eight months after the last U.S. troops pulled out. Insurgents, led by the local branch of al-Qaida, are trying to re-establish themselves in their old strongholds and undermine the government.

The first bomb went off Wednesday in Baqouba, about 35 miles northeast of the Iraqi capital. Police said two civilians and one police officer were killed, and five were wounded.

Minutes later, authorities said, a car bomb exploded at the entrance of the main market in Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad. A second blast struck as police arrived on the scene. Police said the toll for both bombings in the town was seven killed and 26 wounded.