(kuna) -- Coalition forces have killed 12 terrorists and detained 37 suspects and freed one hostage during a multi-day operation December 22 to 25 to disrupt al-Qaeda networks near Muqdadiyah in the Diyala River Valley, the US army announced here on Thursday.Coalition forces returned to an area where recent operations indicated an al-Qaeda in Iraq network was operating. A recent operation resulted in the discovery of nine weapons caches, mass graves and a torture complex (see MNC-I release 20071220-03, "MND-N Soldiers find atrocity site, torture complex and weapons caches," dated Dec. 20, 2007). During the four-day operation, Coalition forces were involved in multiple engagements with groups of armed men, resulting in 12 terrorists killed and 37 suspects detained, it added.
On Sunday, a local citizen led the ground force to what they assessed to be a terrorist medical facility, complete with surgical equipment, numerous medical supplies and medication. Also in the compound, Coalition forces discovered ammunition, maps of the area, and a set of instructions on making improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, it pointed out.
During operations Monday, Coalition forces discovered an al-Qaeda suicide-bomb making facility with numerous bomb-making materials inside. As the ground force cleared the building, they found a man held captive in a locked room, who appeared to have been beaten.
The individual told Coalition forces he was kidnapped a few days prior, beaten, handcuffed and blindfolded. The man was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care. Once able, the individual will be turned over to Iraqi officials for repatriation, it said.