伊拉克遭自杀式袭击 45人死亡

At least 45 people are dead and 157 others wounded in the southern Iraqi city of Hilla, after a suicide bomber detonated a minibus packed with explosives.

Police say the attack happened at a main entry checkpoint to the largely Shiite Muslim city. The checkpoint complex was partly destroyed, and at least 50 cars were set ablaze, with their passengers trapped inside.

It is not immediately clear who was behind the attack, but suicide bombings in Iraq have been a trademark of al Qaeda-affiliated groups.

Security in the country has been shaken over the year, with constant bombings and other attacks. Nearly 8,000 civilians were killed in 2013, making it the most violent period for the country since 2008.