Iraqi army officials say a suicide bomber has killed at least nine people on a bus traveling to Syria.

The officials say the bomber detonated his explosives Tuesday, outside the northern city of Mosul.

The U.S. military said the blast killed eight people and wounded eight others.

American officials have described Mosul as the last major urban stronghold of al-Qaida in Iraq.

In Diyala province, Iraqi police say unidentified gunmen kidnapped 21 men from two buses at a fake checkpoint Tuesday. Police say the men were seized close to the town of Baquba, north of Baghdad. Three women were released.

In related news, Britain's information commissioner has ordered his government to release notes from Cabinet meetings during the run-up to Britain's decision to take military action in Iraq.

Commissioner Richard Thomas said Tuesday, the papers should be released to help the public understand the Cabinet's controversial decision.

His move is in response to a freedom of information request for the minutes of two Cabinet meetings in 2003, when ministers discussed the former attorney general's advice on the legality of invading Iraq.

Thomas said he accepted the Cabinet's argument that certain information should not be released because it could hurt international relations.

Separately, a U.S. military spokesman has praised Iraqi security for its handling of the movement of Shi'ite Muslims as they make a pilgrimage to Karbala.

Attacks on pilgrims Sunday and Monday killed at least 63 people. Millions of pilgrims are commemorating Arbaeen this week, the 40th day following the anniversary of the martyrdom 13 centuries ago of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.