Iraq’s Nineveh province has initiated the excavation of Al-Khasfa Pit, the largest mass grave containing thousands of ISIS victims. Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil emphasized the urgency of identifying the remains, despite financial limitations. The excavation may take a year, with oversight from local and international bodies, as Al-Dakhil revealed past daily execution rates by ISIS at the site. Related efforts continue with investigations into other mass graves in Tal Afar and Sinjar.
Authorities in Iraq’s Nineveh province have commenced efforts to excavate the Al-Khasfa Pit, recognized as Iraq’s largest mass grave housing thousands of ISIS victims. Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil stated the pit could be the largest in the world, emphasizing the importance of exhuming and identifying the remains of those killed. The task achieves legal coordination with the Nineveh Court of Appeal to ensure proper procedures are followed.
Governor Al-Dakhil acknowledged financial challenges faced by Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation but committed to the province taking full responsibility for funding this critical endeavor. He projected that the excavation could span up to a year yet expressed the urgency for immediate action. Al-Dakhil emphasized that a thorough roadmap exists, and both local and international entities will monitor the project closely to ensure transparency.
The governor highlighted the excessive rate of killings by ISIS at this site, citing preliminary reports indicating executions could have reached 2,000 individuals daily from 2014 to 2017 during ISIS’s dominance. Moreover, he pointed out that excavation efforts will also address other mass graves located in Tal Afar and Sinjar, underlining the necessity for timely answers for grieving families.
In related developments, Iraqi authorities previously received the remains of several Nineveh residents executed by ISIS militants in 2016, marking ongoing efforts to honor the victims and provide closure to their families.
The excavation of the Al-Khasfa Pit represents an essential step in addressing the atrocities committed by ISIS in Iraq. Governor Al-Dakhil’s commitment to funding the project and ensuring a transparent process reflects the urgency of identifying victims and providing closure to their families. As the excavation unfolds, it is vital for local and international oversight to ensure proper handling of this sensitive work, which aims to shed light on the dark chapters of Iraq’s recent history.
Original Source: shafaq.com
