Gunmen kill 12 at Baghdad brothel

Unknown gunmen shot dead at least seven women and five men at a brothel in Baghdad on Wednesday, security and medical officials said.

The attack took place in the capital's eastern area of Zayouna, where a number of brothels are located.

No further details were immediately available on the shooting.

Both prostitution and alcohol are prohibited by Islam, the religion of the vast majority of Iraq's population.

With the latest attack, 399 people have been killed in violence so far this month, according to AFP figures based on reports from security and medical officials.

Violence in Iraq has fallen from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common, killing more than 200 people in each of the first five months of this year.