Twelve Iraqi soldiers were killed on Wednesday by rebels in an ambush near the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, north of the capital, an Iraqi military commander said.

The 12 soldiers were attacked on their way home after they finished their duties guarding oil pipelines.

"The martyrs finished their jobs and were on their way back to their villages at 8:30 p.m. (1730 GMT). A group of terrorists opened fire and killed them. Bullets ripped their heads and chests," said the commander.

It was the deadliest day for Iraqi soldiers since Sunday's elections.