"Five US soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment were charged (on) November 5 with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice related to allegations of detainee abuse," a statement said.

"The allegations stem from an incident on September 7 in which three detainees were allegedly punched and kicked by the soldiers as they were awaiting movement to a detention facility."

The statement did not specify at which detention facility the alleged abuse took place.

The army said that "upon discovery of the alleged abuse, officials immediately launched an investigation, which ultimately led to the charges."

"All allegations of abuse are taken very seriously," the army said.

Last year the US military was rocked by a massive scandal over detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib prison last year.