Iraqi soldiers die in suicide blast

Car bomb targets former defence ministry building in Baghdad, where security has been high.

Iraq suicide bomb
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The building targeted on Sunday is now the headquarters of the eastern Baghdad military command [AFP]

Two Iraqi soldiers have been killed and eight other people injured in a suicide car bombing targeting the former defence ministry building in Baghdad.

Sunday’s attack occurred in the Bab al-Muadham neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital, and came just four days after the US declared an end to its “combat mission” there.

Major-General Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi military spokesman, told the Associated Press news agency that security forces opened fire on the car, as it careened toward the building, now the headquarters of the eastern Baghdad military command.

AP said that the bomb, which was triggered by the driver, was seen as part of a wave of potential attacks in Baghdad, where security has been high in recent days.

Source: News Agencies