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France 24

Iraq starts excavation of large mass grave left by Islamic State

France 24 · Just In
France 24
France 24
Just In

Iraqi officials have begun the excavation of what is believed to be a mass grave left behind by the Islamic State extremist group during its rampage across the country a decade ago.

Breakdown
  • Iraq has started exhuming bodies from the al-Khafsa mass grave near Mosul. 17s
  • The grave may contain thousands of victims executed by the Islamic State group. 10s
  • Most victims are believed to be Iraqi military, police, and Yazidi minority members. 1m 3s
  • Excavation is challenging due to unstable soil and sulfurous water at the site. 1m 22s
  • The UN estimates IS left over 200 mass graves with up to 12,000 bodies in Iraq. 1m 39s
Military & Conflict