BAGHDAD, Iraq – Assassins attacked two Iraqi interim government ministers with bombs about a half-hour apart Tuesday in southeastern Baghdad but failed to kill or injure either official.

The first explosion, a suicide car bomb around 8 a.m., targeted interim Environment Minister Mishkat Moumin, as her convoy left a guarded and barricaded compound where many Iraqi ministers live and work. The next explosion, a roadside bomb about six miles away from the morning’s first attack, targeted interim Education Minister Sami al Mudhaffar as his convoy passed.

The bombings killed at least five people and drew some attention away from clashes in Najaf. In the holy city about 100 miles south of the capital, Iraqi and U.S. forces have been engaged in often fierce fighting with firebrand Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia for more than two weeks.

As for Tuesday’s bombings, a group led by militant Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi reportedly claimed responsibility. Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Sabah Khadim said the government was investigating.

the attacks.