Iraqi soldiers killed in ambush

Twelve Iraqi soldiers have been ambushed and killed near the northern oil city of Kirkuk, the army reports.

Maj Gen Anwar Amin said gunmen shot the soldiers in the head after stopping their bus on a road leading to Kirkuk late on Wednesday.

Most of the soldiers were on their way back from a holiday in the nearby city of Mosul when they were halted near the village of Zab, he added.

The ambush was the deadliest attack since Sunday's general election.

Insurgents frequently target members of the Iraqi security forces, whom they consider collaborators with the US-led foreign forces in the country.