Updated at 6:55 p.m. EDT, Sept. 10, 2008
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that improving security in Iraq would allow the U.S. to change its military focus to Afghanistan, but the U.S. will still remain in Iraq for many years to come. He also said that the war has entered its "endgame." At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 24 more were wounded in the latest violence reports. No Coalition deaths were reported.
In political news, Iraq may have to rely on an old law so that elections may take place before the end of the year. The implementation of a new elections law has stalled due to issues surrounding a power sharing plan for Kirkuk; however, one parliamentary group is demanding the new law be pushed through immediately.
The acceptance of a U.S.-Iraqi security pact has also stalled. In this case, immunity for U.S. troops may be the biggest stumbling block.
A bomb in Karbala killed as many as three people and wounded 12 others.
In Baghdad, one person was killed and six more were wounded when a bomb was detonated near a restaurant popular with police. Two dumped bodies were found.
In Mosul, gunmen killed a Christian man. Four dumped bodies were recovered.
Four people were wounded during a bombing at a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan office in Tuz Khormato. Three of the wounded may have been the men planting the bomb.
A roadside bomb in Iskandariya wounded two policemen.
In Basra, a vehicle carrying a large amount of weapons was discovered and confiscated.
A weapons cache was found south of Kirkuk. Two al-Qaeda suspects were detained.
Thirty bombs were found in Buhriz. At least 15 suspects were detained during security operations.
Two suspects were detained in Huwija, and a cart bearing a bomb was confiscated.
Also, Jordan has stopped accepting shipments of food from Iraq due to the cholera outbreak. Three officials were arrested for negligence.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis
