Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Up to nine U.S. soldiers were killed and eight others were wounded in Iraq, the U.S. military said on Saturday.

    Two U.S. soldiers were killed and two others wounded on Friday when a roadside bomb explosion struck their foot-patrol in southern Baghdad, a military statement said.

    Another soldier was killed when a roadside bomb hit his patrol in western Baghdad on Thursday, the military said.

    Earlier in the day, the military announced the deaths of six more soldiers, including one died in non-battle related incident, and the injuries of six others during the past two days.

    Names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, it added.

    About 3,595 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the Iraq war broke out in March 2003, according to media count based on Pentagon figures.