BAGHDAD » The U.S. military says three American soldiers have been killed in southern Iraq in the deadliest month for U.S. troops in two years.

A statement issued Thursday says the troops were killed Wednesday but gives no other details, and the names of the dead are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The deaths bring to 4,469 the number of American troops who have died in Iraq. That’s according to an count.

Fifteen U.S. troops have died this month in Iraq. It’s the highest number of military deaths in the country since June 2009, and all but one were killed in combat.