Bombings target police checkpoint, kill 15 in and around Baghdad

Baghdad: Iraqi officials say bombings targeting a police checkpoint, a restaurant and two markets have killed 15 people and wounded more than 40 in and around Baghdad.

The deadliest was a suicide bombing against a military checkpoint in Tarmiyah, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of the capital, which killed eight people and wounded 15 others. Three of the dead were soldiers.

The two separate attacks on markets in Baghdad killed five people, and the bomb targeting the restaurant killed two people.

Police and hospital officials confirmed the casualty tolls. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

The attacks come as Iraqi forces are attempting to retake the western city of Fallujah from Islamic State militants.