Suicide Bomber Kills 33 People South of Baghdad

Baghdad: A suicide bomber today killed 33 people and wounded 55 others in Madaen, about 25 km south of Baghdad, Iraqi police and medical officials said.

The bomber blew himself up near a line of Sunni pro-government fighters waiting for their salaries, the officials said, adding they expected the toll to rise. The dead were mostly pro-government fighters, but included at least three soldiers.

"The attacker was wearing an Iraqi army uniform, and an explosive vest packed with ball bearings," a police officer said.