Three bombs targeting hotels in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad have left 30 dead.

The first blast occurred near the Ishtar Sheraton around 3:40 p.m. local time Monday. Two other car bombs exploded not long after at the Babylon and al-Hamra hotels.

Iraqi authorities say at least 36 have died and 70 are injured.

The windows of the South Korean Embassy, only 400 meters away from the Babylon Hotel, were smashed due to the bombs.

The blasts occurred on the day Iraq executed Ali Hassan al-Majeed, who was also known as "Chemical Ali" for his use of poison gas against minority Kurds during the reign of Saddam Hussein.

Officials believe Sunni armed forces linked with al-Qaida are responsible for the latest incident.

Rebel attacks to destabilize the nation politically are increasing in frequency ahead of Iraq's general elections in early March.