9 American soldiers killed in Iraq, including 8 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Nine American soldiers died in Iraq on Monday – all but one killed in vehicle accidents in and around Baghdad, the military said.\nThe deadliest of the vehicle accidents, in western Baghdad, killed seven Multi-National Division–Baghdad soldiers and wounded 11, and left two detainees dead and a third injured. The cause of the accident was under investigation, the military said.\nIn a separate accident, east of Baghdad, an American soldier was killed and two injured when their vehicle flipped and caught fire. A ninth soldier died of injuries sustained Sunday while on patrol in the Kirkuk area of northern Iraq.\nIraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told parliament Monday that Iraqi forces are not ready to defend the country without U.S. help, despite what he termed “major improvements,” in security in Baghdad since the American troop buildup began this year.