BAGHDAD, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Despite attempts to push forward the political process in Iraq, sectarian violence is continuing unabated, claiming civilian and military lives.
At least 10 people were killed Monday in a suicide bombing attack near the Interior Ministry in Baghdad as visiting British Defense Minister Des Browne held talks with Iraqi officials on security and military matters.
More than 20 others were injured in the mid-morning blast outside the ministry, which has been frequently targeted in the past and is heavily guarded. At least eight policemen are reported to be among the fatalities.
The blast comes a day after dozens of people were killed in six car bombs across Iraq.
Insurgents have carried out almost daily attacks against Iraqi and coalition targets since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Thousands of Iraqis have died in apparently sectarian attacks in the past four months alone.
The latest attacks coincided with Browne's visit and declaration that Iraq was moving forward towards civilian security and peace.
"Each time I come, I see more progress," he said.
Browne is scheduled to inspect British soldiers in south Iraq, where the British base in Basra was attacked with Katyusha rockets early Monday.
The surge in violence followed a claim by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that the security situation in Iraq was improving.
"The violence is on the decrease, and our security ability is increasing," Maliki told CNN Sunday.
Meanwhile, six U.S. soldiers were killed in separate bomb attacks in Iraq on Sunday afternoon, the U.S. military said.
Four soldiers died when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle north of Baghdad, a military statement said. A fifth soldier was killed when a roadside bomb struck his vehicle in the west of the capital, and the sixth died in a similar separate incident.
