Iraq officials say separate bomb attacks kill at least 5, wound 15

BAGHDAD – Officials say two separate bomb attacks in central Iraq have killed at least five people and wounded 15.

A police officer says a roadside bomb struck a patrol of a pro-government, anti-al-Qaida Sunni militia, killing three and wounding seven in Tarmiyah, a Sunni town and former insurgent stronghold about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Baghdad.

Militants consider members of the group, known as the Awakening Council, as traitors since they were formed by U.S. forces during the height of Iraq's insurgency.

Another police officer said the second bomb went off in a commercial area in the capital's Palestine Street, killed two civilians and wounding eight others.

Two medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.