BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi officials say a car bomb near a security checkpoint south of Baghdad has killed five people, including two soldiers.

Police officials say the Tuesday morning attack targeted a checkpoint in the town of Mahmoudiya. The blast killed two soldiers and three civilian bystanders, and wounded 15 people.

Mahmoudiya is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of the Iraqi capital.

Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the casualties. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Violence has fallen since the peak of insurgency in Iraq several years ago, but lethal attacks still occur frequently.