Updated

Iraqi officials say a suicide car bomb targeting a security checkpoint in Baghdad has killed 17 people in the capital.

Police say a driver rammed his explosive-laden car into a checkpoint in Baghdad's northern district of Kazimiyah on Thursday night, killing 17 people including six policemen and wounding 31 people.

Several cars were burnt in the attacks, added police.

A medical official in a nearby hospital confirmed the causalities. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

A string of bombings since Wednesday has killed more than 80 people in predominantly Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad.