Car bomb strikes Iraq's Mosul in first deadly attack since IS ouster

Iraqi security officials say four people have been killed in the first deadly bombing in western Mosul since the city district was recaptured from Islamic State group militants last year.

Mosul police officials said the car bomb blast in front of a restaurant in west Mosul on Thursday evening wounded nine others. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with police regulations.

Witnesses in Mosul said the restaurant is known to be frequented by security personnel. 

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Mosul was recaptured by Iraqi forces from the Islamic State group in a violent 8-month battle in 2017 with the support of the US military.

The brutal fight to recapture Mosul left Iraq's second city in ruins, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Iraq is facing a spate of bombings and kidnappings in recent months that has raised concerns about security.

Mosul experienced a renaissance since it was recaptured, with residents rebuilding their homes and reopening cultural centres.

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