Death toll in Iraq suicide blast reaches 39

BAGHDAD, July 18 (Reuters) - The death toll from an attack in southwestern Baghdad by a suicide bomber on a group of government-backed Sunni militiamen reached at least 39, with around 41 wounded, Iraqi police said on Sunday.

The blast occurred as the men, who once fought with al Qaeda against U.S. forces but switched allegiance in 2006/07, were collecting wages outside a military base. (Reporting by Reuters Television; writing by Michael Christie; editing by Philippa Fletcher)