Car bomb hits busy Baghdad market

Shoppers emerging from Friday prayers were caught in the blast

At least 14 people have been killed in a car bombing at a busy market in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police and hospital officials have said.

At least 64 people were wounded in the explosion, which happened at about 1300 (1000 GMT) in a square crowded with shoppers after Friday prayers.

A police spokesman said the dead were all civilians, including at least one woman and a child.

The wounded were being treated at four hospitals, a medical official said.

The attack took place in Tayaran Square, the scene of other deadly bomb attacks in the past two and a half years.

It lies in a predominantly Shia quarter of the city, which makes it the target of Sunni extremists.

Meanwhile, US military officials reported that coalition forces had killed five insurgents and detained 14 suspects, during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

US officials say violence has been reduced by 60% in Iraq although bombings and other attacks are still frequent.