Instances of IED-rigged houses increase

BAGHDAD, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Insurgents have booby-trapped more than 36 houses in Iraq's Diyala province with Improvised Explosive Devices in a single week, an official said.

The Kuwait News Agency reported Sunday that the number of houses rigged with explosives has increased since the beginning of the Iraqi offensive in Diyala, a military statement said.

The number of houses rigged with IEDs and roadside bomb attacks increased from 36 prior to the operation to 103 from the first week to the second week of August, KUNA reported.

"The enemy is showing themselves to be heartless with the destruction of citizen's homes, and we will continue to deny them sanctuary anywhere in northern Iraq," said Brig. Gen. James Boozer, the deputy commanding general for the multinational forces.