At least 33 people have been killed and 55 wounded by a suicide bomber in Madaen, about 25 km (15 miles) south of Iraq’s capital Baghdad, on Wednesday.

The bomber, wearing an Iraqi army uniform and an explosive vest packed with ball bearings, blew himself up near a line of Sunni pro-Government fighters waiting for their salaries. At least three regular soldiers were among those killed.

The death toll is expected to rise.

As the Islamic State has pursued its offensive against the Iraqi Government this year, there have been regular suicide bombings in and near Baghdad and throughout the country.

(Featured Photo: Aftermath of car bomb in Baghdad, August 7, 2014)