Iraqi forces ended a hostage-taking at a Baghdad government building killing four militants on Thursday, as nationwide violence took January's death toll past 900 with elections looming.

At least two people were killed in the attack overall -- a policeman at the main gate and an employee responsible for monitoring security cameras in the main building, Maan said.

Elsewhere in the Iraqi capital, three bombings near markets and a restaurant in the Shiite-majority neighbourhoods of Kasra, Shaab and Talbiyah killed 10 people and wounded 32, officials said.

Violence has killed at least 917 people in Iraq this month, more than three times the toll for January 2013, according to an AFP tally based on reports from security and medical officials.

No group claimed responsibility for the ministry assault and the bombings, but Sunni militants affiliated with the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have mounted similar attacks in Baghdad.

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