The commander of the Iraq Police's Diala District said announced the formation of a 100 woman unit called "Daughters of Diaia" which would battle the growing phenomenon of female suicide bombers in the district, London based daily Al Hayat reported.

"One of the reasons for women to kill like this is a desire for vengeance," Captain Kevin Ryan, commander of a US base in Baquba, told AFP. "Often, they have lost parents, brothers or children in the fighting."

"Some want vengeance for the fact their families have disappeared," said Iraqi army Colonel Ali Al-Karkhi, who is responsible for security in the Khan Bani Saad district.