Baghdad car bomb kills at least seven - hospital

BAGHDAD, July 5 (Reuters) A car bomb killed at least seven people in south Baghdad today, including several children, a hospital source said.

The source said 20 people had been wounded in the attack in a mainly Shi'ite neighbourhood called Abu Dshir.

Police put the toll at five and said that the car had been parked near a restaurant.

US and Iraqi forces have launched a major military operation in and around Baghdad to stem sectarian bloodshed between majority Shi'ite and minority Sunni Arabs.

They have walled off popular markets, closed streets and stepped up the number of checkpoints to thwart attacks.

REUTERS SY HS2134