Excavation of Iraq’s Largest Mass Grave: Al-Khasfa Pit
Authorities in Iraq’s Nineveh province have begun excavating the Al-Khasfa Pit, the largest mass grave with thousands of ISIS victims. Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil emphasized the urgency of this initiative, which is funded by the province and overseen legally with the Nineveh Court of Appeal. The excavation could last up to a year and aims to provide answers to families affected by the atrocities committed by ISIS.
Iraqi authorities in Nineveh province have commenced the excavation of the Al-Khasfa Pit, recognized as Iraq’s largest mass grave holding thousands of ISIS victims. Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil announced this initiative, affirming the site’s significant urgency for exhumation and victim identification, calling it possibly the largest mass grave globally.
During a visit to the excavation site located south of Mosul, Governor Al-Dakhil stated that proper legal procedures would be maintained through coordination with the Nineveh Court of Appeal. Despite existing financial limitations faced by Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation, he assured that the province will fully fund the project.
Al-Dakhil estimated that the excavation might take up to a year while emphasizing the immediacy of the initiative. He shared that there is a comprehensive plan, with local and international bodies expected to oversee the project, highlighting the importance of providing answers to the grieving families as quickly as possible. Additionally, he mentioned that the work would extend to other mass graves situated in Tal Afar and Sinjar.
Preliminary reports indicate that ISIS executed large numbers of individuals at the Al-Khasfa Pit, with estimates suggesting up to 2,000 people were killed daily during their reign from 2014 to 2017. Earlier this year, Iraqi authorities received remains of several individuals from Nineveh who were murdered by ISIS militants in 2016.
The initiation of the Al-Khasfa Pit excavation represents a critical effort by Iraqi authorities to address the tragic legacy of ISIS atrocities in Nineveh. Governor Al-Dakhil’s commitment to providing answers to families and the project’s oversight by both local and international entities reflects a serious acknowledgment of the need for justice and accountability. This excavation is poised to unveil a harrowing chapter in Iraq’s history and is anticipated to conclude within a year.
Original Source: shafaq.com
