Three car bombs have exploded in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's western Anbar province, killing at least 19 people and wounding up to 81 others, in a well-coordinated attack.

The blasts took place on Sunday close to Anbar's provincial government building, according to Ahmed Salam, an Iraqi journalist.

"The first two bombs went off within minutes of each other, the third exploded as the dead and injured were being carried away," Salam said.

The first bomb appeared to target people queuing outside a municipal office to claim various allowances, he said.

"The second detonated when police and firemen arrived on the scene, and the third blew up on the road to the hospital."

A number of armed groups have continued to target local and provincial government in Anbar in recent months, particularly after the Iraqi police force took responsibility for the whole province.

"Although there had been a period of relative calm a few months back, the war between al-Qaeda, the police and other armed factions is far from over," Salam said.

But no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.