A car bomb went off near the Ghazil market in central Baghdad on Friday morning, killing two people and wounding five others, a well-informed police source said.

"An explosive-packed car parking near the busy market of Ghazil Souq went off at about 9:45 a.m. (0645 GMT)," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"Our first reports said that two people were killed and five others wounded, the source said.

The attack targeted the old market of Ghazil, just off bustling Jumhuriyah Street in central Baghdad, where dozens of free sellers lined with shops selling live birds, fish and animals, especially on Friday when other markets closed for the Muslim day of rest.

Source: Xinhua