Iraqi officials say a suicide bomber targeting pro-government Sunni militiamen has killed at least 17 people in an attack near the country’s capital.

The blast happened early Wednesday in the town of Madaen, about 45 kilometers south of Baghdad. 

Officials said most of the dead were pro-government fighters who had gathered to receive their salary. Three Iraqi soldiers were among those killed. The bombing wounded at least 33 other people.

The militiamen were part of a group of fighters known as Sahwa, who oppose the Sunni militant Islamic State group and helped U.S. forces battle al-Qaida in Iraq.
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