BAGHDAD, June 22: A female suicide bomber struck near a government compound northeast of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and wounding 40 others, police said.

At least 21 suicide attacks have been carried out this year by women.

The bomber detonated her explosives in front of a heavily guarded area that includes the courthouse, the post office and the governor’s offices in the city of Baqouba, a police officer said.

The attack occurred about 1pm, at a time when large numbers of people were visiting the compound to get official papers or conduct other business.

The US military has warned that women bombers are being increasingly recruited by Al Qaeda in Iraq because they can more easily avoid security searches.

The bomber apparently had hidden an explosives belt under a traditional black robe usually worn by Iraqi women.

Officials said she was targeting a police patrol that was about 200 metres away from the compound but many civilians were nearby at stalls selling refreshments, tea and cigarettes as well as vendors preparing court documents outside.

One man who was hit by shrapnel in his hand and shoulder said the blast occurred as many people were leaving the compound ahead of the 2pm close of business.

“I was trying to get out of the court when the explosion took place,” the witness said, declining to give his name because of security concerns. “I heard some of the injured people saying they saw a woman wearing a black robe blew herself up.”

The 15 killed included seven policemen, the officer said.

The US military confirmed it was a female suicide bombing but gave a slightly lower death toll of 14 – seven police and seven civilians.—AP