The US military has reported the deaths of 10 US soldiers in Iraq, raising to 68 the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq this month.

If the death toll for US troops in Iraq continues to rise at the present rate, it will make this October the deadliest month for US-led forces in Iraq since January 2005.

Roadside bombs and enemy fire killed nine US soldiers in action in and around Baghdad on Tuesday, the military reported on Wednesday.

Four soldiers died when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle at about 6.50am (0350 GMT) Tuesday morning, the military said in a brief statement.

Three soldiers attached to the 4th Infantry Division were also killed and one wounded during combat in Diyala province east of Baghdad, the military said.

Two more soldiers died in separate incidents - one when his patrol was hit by small-arms fire in northern Baghdad on Tuesday morning and another in a roadside bombing, officials said.

A marine wounded in fighting in al-Anbar province also died from injuries on Tuesday, the military said.

No other details of the attacks were given and the soldiers' names were being withheld pending notification of their families.

Photo Caption

US paratroopers patrolling the streets of Baiji, 18 September 2006