The bomb has been exploded on the highway near Shuala district in the capital and 15 other people have been injured. The final toll has not been stated yet.

A medical source has confirmed the victims’ toll.

Meanwhile the Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaeda branch, said in posted online messages that it was behind last Wednesday deadly bombings where at least 70 persons were killed.

The group described the bombing as a “blessed Wednesday invasion” which was the worst bombing offer US troops left Iraq in December last year.