Iraqi officials say suicide attack has killed 5 soldiers north of Baghdad

In this photo released by the Iraqi Army taken on March 20, 2014, Iraqi Security forces prepare to attack al-Qaida positions in Ramadi, 70 miles (115 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi military officials are warning that efforts to clear militants from Fallujah and parts of nearby Ramadi are proving much more difficult than they anticipated when the jihadists showed up three months ago. That realization, as they acknowledged during a recent tour of special forces operations, casts doubt on Iraq's ability to hold elections in Fallujah next month. (AP Photo/Iraqi Army) (The Associated Press)

BAGHDAD – Iraqi officials say a suicide car bomber has struck a military convoy north of Baghdad, killing five soldiers.

Police officials say the bombing took place on Tuesday when the bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a convoy of army vehicles in Tikrit. The city is located about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad.

The officials say the explosion also wounded 11 soldiers.

Medics confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Violence has escalated in Iraq over the past year.

According to United Nations figures, Iraq last year saw the highest death toll since the worst of the country's sectarian bloodletting began to subside in 2007.