A bomb exploded near a football field in Iraq on Thursday, killing five people and wounding at least 11, officials said.

A bomb exploded near a football field in Iraq on Thursday, killing five people and wounding at least 11, officials said.

The bombing in Madain, south of Baghdad, was just the latest in a string of attacks this year targeting young men playing Iraq's favorite sport.

Militants seeking to cause maximum casualties have also bombed other areas where crowds of people gather, including markets, parks, cafes, mosques and funeral tents.

Four Iraqi soldiers were also killed in  Anbar and Mousel Provinces as militants attacked army check points.

With the latest violence, more than 50 people have been killed in attacks so far this month, and over 4,750 since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.