Three US occupation soldiers were killed in southern Iraq, military statement said taking to 15 the number of occupation troops killed in June, the highest toll in two years.

Three US occupation soldiers were killed in southern Iraq, military statement said taking to 15 the number of occupation troops killed in June, the highest toll in two years.

The statement said that the soldiers were killed on Wednesday. It did not identify the fallen soldiers, nor did it provide further details about the occurrence.

The killing of the three US soldiers raised the total death toll for American forces in Iraq to 4,469 since March 2003, according to an AP count.

US military commanders warn that there could be a rise in attacks against US troops as they prepare to withdraw from Iraq. Many of the remaining US military bases in southern Iraq have faced a surge in rocket and mortar attacks in recent months.