Car bomb blast near Baghdad hotel kills 3

A car bomb blast near one of Baghdad's landmark hotels Friday killed at least three people and wounded 12, police and medical sources said.

Such attacks, once almost daily in the Iraqi capital, decreased in frequency this year after security forces pushed jihadist militants back from parts of the Baghdad belt and dismantled a bomb-making cell.

The latest car bomb explosion struck near the Babylon, an upmarket hotel overlooking the Tigris in the central Karrada neighbourhood.

A police colonel said at least three people were killed 12 wounded in the blast, which occurred at a time when many civilians gather for midday Friday prayers.

A hospital official confirmed the toll.

Source: AFP