Baghdad car bombing kills 26

At least 26 people have been killed as a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car in south-eastern Baghdad, Iraqi officials said.

Police said the attack occurred at 11am on Friday in the capital’s predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of Zafaraniyah.

The officials said another 53 people were wounded in the attack.

Hospital officials confirmed the death toll.

Insurgents have stepped up violence in Iraq since the US military withdrawal last month. More than 200 people have been killed since the beginning of the year.