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Iraq blasts kill nine US troops Iraq blasts kill nine US troops
(about 2 hours later)
Nine American soldiers from the same command have been killed in two attacks in provinces north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the US military says. Nine American soldiers from the same command have been killed in two bomb attacks in provinces north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the US military says.
Six US troops died on Monday while on combat operations in Salahuddin province, in one of the deadliest attacks on American forces in months.Six US troops died on Monday while on combat operations in Salahuddin province, in one of the deadliest attacks on American forces in months.
Three other soldiers died in a blast in Diyala province, US officials said.Three other soldiers died in a blast in Diyala province, US officials said.
More than 3,000 United States personnel have been killed in Iraq since the invasion in March 2003. More than 3,000 US personnel have been killed in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.
Troops belonging to Task Force Lightning were conducting operations in Salahuddin province on Monday when a bomb exploded near their vehicle, the military said. The US troops were killed on the same day as a car bomb in the centre of Baghdad left 30 Iraqis dead - the first major attack in the Iraqi capital for several days.
Six were killed and three others were injured. They were taken to a military hospital, the US statement said. Daily occurrence
Three other soldiers, also from Task Force Lightning, died and one was injured in a roadside bomb in Diyala province on Monday. Troops belonging to Task Force Lightning were conducting operations in Salahuddin province when a bomb exploded near their vehicle, killing six soldiers, the US military said.
The names of those killed are being withheld until their families are notified by the US authorities. Three others were injured and were taken to a military hospital.
A similar roadside blast in Diyala province killed three Task Force Lightning soldiers and injured one.
Such attacks on American patrols and convoys are a daily occurrence but such a high number of fatalities is unusual, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.
In recent weeks American commanders have been openly accusing Iran of allowing the technology for deadly armour piercing bombs to cross the border into that area of Iraq, a charge Iran has denied.
On Saturday Iranian and American envoys are set to take part in a security conference in Baghdad, including Iraq's neighbours and other interested parties, aimed at winning support for efforts to stabilise the country.
Another country often accused by the Americans of not doing enough to help, Syria will be also be taking part.