Excavation of Iraq’s Largest Mass Grave, Al-Khasfa Pit, Begins

Iraq’s Nineveh province has begun excavating the Al-Khasfa Pit, the largest mass grave of ISIS victims. Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil confirmed efforts are in collaboration with the Nineveh Court of Appeal. Financially supported by local authorities, the excavation may last a year and could reveal information about thousands executed by ISIS from 2014 to 2017.

Authorities in Iraq’s Nineveh province have initiated efforts to excavate the Al-Khasfa Pit, recognized as the largest mass grave containing thousands of ISIS victims. Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil highlighted the site’s extensive significance during a press event south of Mosul and reaffirmed the importance of identifying the victims’ remains.

The excavation process is being strategically coordinated with the Nineveh Court of Appeal to adhere to proper legal protocols. Despite the financial limitations faced by Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation, Governor Al-Dakhil assured that local authorities would fully fund the excavation, which could take up to one year to complete.

Al-Dakhil emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We cannot allow families to wait any longer for answers.” He indicated that the project is equipped with a clear roadmap and will be monitored by both local and international bodies, with plans to extend similar efforts to other mass graves in Tal Afar and Sinjar.

Initial assessments suggest that ISIS executed large numbers of individuals at the Al-Khasfa site, with estimates indicating as many as 2,000 victims per day during ISIS’s reign from 2014 to 2017. Furthermore, earlier this year, authorities repatriated the remains of several Nineveh residents executed by ISIS in 2016.

The excavation of the Al-Khasfa Pit represents a significant step towards addressing the atrocities committed during the ISIS occupation in Iraq. Governor Al-Dakhil’s commitment to funding and legally coordinating this initiative underscores the urgent need for closure for the victims’ families. As investigations expand to other sites, there is hope for greater accountability and recognition of the suffering endured by countless individuals.

Original Source: shafaq.com