A suicide bomber struck a US foot patrol in a crowded market place in southern Baghdad on Thursday, killing 15 people and wounding 30 others, an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack took place at the entrance of the Athoriyin popular market in Baghdad's Doura district, the source said.

Three US soldiers were among the killed and five others among the wounded, the source said.

The US military has no immediate comment on the incident.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2009)