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Iraqi officials: Car bomb kills at least 7 civilians in busy Baghdad commercial area

Associated Press
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In this Sunday, April 26, 2015 photo, Iraqi security forces patrol during an operation against Islamic State group militants, to retake the water control station on a canal lost over the weekend, in the town of Garma, between Baghdad and the Islamic State-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said on Iraqi television that the army has achieved "90 percent" of its objectives in the town of Garma. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

In this Sunday, April 26, 2015 photo, Iraqi security forces prepare to attack Islamic State group militants, during an operation to retake the water control station on a canal lost over the weekend, in the town of Garma, between Baghdad and the Islamic State-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said on Iraqi television that the army has achieved "90 percent" of its objectives in the town of Garma. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

In this Sunday, April 26, 2015 photo, Iraqi security forces patrol during an operation against Islamic State group militants, to retake the water control station on a canal lost over the weekend, in the town of Garma, between Baghdad and the Islamic State-held city of Fallujah, Iraq. Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said on Iraqi television that the army has achieved "90 percent" of its objectives in the town of Garma. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Iraqi officials say a car bombing in a busy commercial area in the capital has killed at least seven civilians.

A police officer says the Monday afternoon attack took place in Baghdad's southwestern neighborhood of Bayaa. The explosives-laden car was parked near a real estate office in an area where dozens of people gather every day.

The police officer says least 16 other people were wounded.

A medical official confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Baghdad has seen near-daily attacks as security forces struggle to dislodge the Islamic State group from vast areas in northern and western Iraq seized by the extremists last summer.