At least 60 people have been killed and 125 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack outside Iraq's former Defense Ministry building in central Baghdad. It currently houses the Iraqi Army's 11th division headquarters.

Police say the bomber detonated the explosives as a group of army recruits waited to be let in the main gate. At least three soldiers are among the dead. 9 others were wounded. Some of the surviving recruits claim a car bomb was set off at the same time, which could account for the high death toll.

About 250 new army recruits go through the building every week as Iraqi security forces try to bolster their ranks. The US military is planning to withdraw all its troops in two weeks after seven years in the war-torn country.