Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Five U.S. soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in an ambush in southern Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Friday.

    The attack took place on Thursday when insurgents detonated a roadside bomb near the soldiers' patrol, which was followed by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenade attack, the military said in a statement.

    "All of the wounded soldiers were evacuated to a combat support hospital following the attack. One soldier has returned to duty," the statement said.

    The latest deaths bring the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq during the month to 99 and total number of killed U.S. soldiers to more than 3,575, according to media count based on Pentagon figures.