During in operation on December 9, both United States and Iraqi forces have discovered three buildings that contained chains on the walls along with a metal bed connected to a power supply. Nearby, mass graves that contained twenty-six bodies were found according to the military.
In the last few months, the Diyala province has been the focus of some of the fiercest attacks at the ands of the insurgents. It is believed that militants from Anbar and Baghdad had migrated to the Diyala province after being displaced.
On Tuesday, 13 people along with a US soldier were killed by a suicide bomber. The suicide attack was at a recruiting center for local Sunni Arab groups that have been assisting US forces in fighting against Al-Qaeda militants in Diyala.
“Intelligence provided by Iraqi tips led US troops to a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven and operating bases,” according to the US statement.
The statement adds: “Evidence of murder, torture, and intimidation against local villagers was found throughout the area.”
According to Major General Mark Hertling, after discovering the site, they continued their security sweep. 24 suspected militants were killed.