IS suicide bomber kills three in Baghdad

Baghdad: A suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt in central Baghdad on Tuesday morning, killing at least three people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, officials said.

The bomber targeted workers gathered at Tayaran Square, also wounding at least 22 people, according to security and medical officials.

IS said in an online statement that it carried out the attack, claiming it targeted paramilitary forces.

The jihadist group overran large parts of Iraq in 2014 but has since lost significant ground to Iraqi forces and allied militia groups.

While suicide bombings are relatively common in Iraq, they have recently targeted areas outside Baghdad or neighbourhoods on the outer edge of the capital that are easier for militants to access.