Iraqi officials say a suicide car bomber has exploded a vehicle outside a prison near Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding at least 15 others.

The blast happened Monday morning local time at the entrance to the al-Hout prison in the town of Taji. The casualties are said to include prison guards and employees.

Violence has declined across Iraq since a sectarian conflict peaked in 2006 and 2007, but deadly attacks remain common as U.S. troops prepare to leave the country at the end of this year.