BAQUBA, Iraq - Iraqi security forces Wednesday in Diyala province arrested an alleged member of al-Qaida who confessed to killing 20 people.

Iraqi officials said in a statement police in Diyala arrested Ahmad Mohammad Taha in the provincial capital, Baquba, the Kuwaiti news agency said.

The statement indicated Taha confessed to the killings as well as several kidnappings.

Police freed three hostages in areas around Baquba following the arrest.

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