Bombing kills nine near Iraqi capital Baghdad

Iraqi officials say a suicide bombing has targeted security forces outside Baghdad, killing at least nine people.

A police officer says the attacker drove his explosive-laden car into an Iraqi army checkpoint in the town Youssifiyah, located 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the Iraqi capital.

He says five civilians and four troops were killed in Monday's explosion and up to 35 people were wounded.

A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to release information.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but it has all the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which has staged similar attacks in the past.

The attack came just hours after the government announced the start of the long-awaited military operation to drive IS militants from the northern city of Mosul.

It also follows a weekend of bombings targeting Shia Muslims. On Saturday the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in the al-Shaab area of the Iraqi capital, killing at least 30 people and wounding dozens more. The suicide bomber targeted a packed tent during a Shia Muslim religious commemoration around lunchtime.

Another suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least four people and wounded ten more the day after.