An American soldier was killed Saturday in an insurgent attack in eastern Iraqi province of Diyala, the U.S. military said on Sunday.

"A Task Force Lightning soldier was killed as a result of wounds sustained after being attacked by small arms fire while conducting operations in the volatile province of Diyala," the military said in a statement.

More than 3,500 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion broke out in 2003, according to media count based on Pentagon figures.

Source: Xinhua