Special report:Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- A roadside bomb went off near a U.S. patrol in eastern Baghdad on Wednesday, damaging a U.S.military vehicle, an Interior Ministry source said.

    "A roadside bomb detonated around 1:30 p.m. (10:30 GMT) on the al-Qanat road in eastern Baghdad, leaving a U.S. Humvee ablaze,"the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    It was not clear whether there was any casualty among the U.S.soldiers as the U.S. troops cordoned off the area preventing police from approaching the scene, the source added.

    The U.S. military did not confirm the incident.