Iraqi officials say a car bomb has exploded in a commercial area of central Baghdad, killing at least four civilians, AP reported.
One police officer says the blast took place Monday morning in Baghdad's Allawi neighborhood. He says 12 people were wounded in the attack.
A medical official confirmed the causality figures.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.
Security forces in Baghdad have been joined by Shiite militias in recent weeks to try to boost security in the capital amid fears that the Sunni militants who have overrun much of northern and western Iraq could carry out large-scale attacks in the capital.
Baghdad has seen only small scale bombings since the militant blitz began more than a month ago.