BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials say a suicide car bomb attack on an army checkpoint has killed nine people, including four soldiers, south of Baghdad.

Police officials say a suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden car into the checkpoint in the town of Youssifiyah on Saturday. At least 20 people were wounded and several cars were burnt in the attack.

Youssifiyah is 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Baghdad.

Iraq has faced an onslaught by Sunni insurgents since early this year as the extremist Islamic State group and allied militants have taken over large areas in the country's west and north.