BAGHDAD, January 05, SPA -- Car bombs killed nine Iraqis Wednesday north of Baghdad, where U.S. officials have cited increased attacks despite a sharp drop in violence countrywide. Most of Iraq has seen a lull in attacks in recent monthsafter a U.S. troop buildup and raids to pacify Baghdad andits surrounding belts. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gatesarrived in Iraq Wednesday to assess whether that downturncan be sustained. One of the blasts went off in Mosul, where Gates landedearly Wednesday on his sixth trip to Iraq. Police saidexplosives hidden in a parked car killed a civilian andwounded seven others across the city from the U.S. militarybase where Gates arrived, according to a report of the Associated Press. The American military also announced the deaths of twosoldiers, killed a day earlier in a «complex attack»involving a roadside bomb and small arms fire. Two otherswere wounded in the attack in Salahuddin province, north ofBaghdad, the military said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/506428