A suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt in central Baghdad on Tuesday morning, killing at least three people in an attack claimed by the Takfiri group, ISIL, officials said.

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt in central Baghdad on Tuesday morning, killing at least three people in an attack claimed by the Takfiri group, ISIL, officials said.

The bomber targeted workers gathered at Tayaran Square, also wounding at least 22 people, according to security and medical officials.

ISIL said in an online statement that it carried out the attack, claiming it targeted Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) who are fighting the Takfiri group alongside the Iraq army.

While suicide bombings are relatively common in Iraq, they have recently targeted areas outside Baghdad or neighborhoods on the outer edge of the capital that are easier for militants to access.

Last week ISIL also staged a suicide attack which targeted a football stadium near Baghdad, killing and injuring dozens of people.