Iraq has initiated the excavation of the Al-Khasfa Pit, the largest mass grave believed to hold thousands of ISIS victims, with Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil stating the project will be legally supervised. The excavation aims to provide closure for families, with an expected completion period of about a year despite financial challenges. Initial investigations suggest ISIS conducted mass executions at the site from 2014 to 2017.
In Iraq’s Nineveh province, authorities, led by Governor Abdul Qadir Al-Dakhil, have commenced the excavation of the Al-Khasfa Pit, recognized as the largest mass grave in Iraq and potentially the world, containing the remains of thousands of ISIS victims. Governor Al-Dakhil stressed the urgency to exhume the remains and identify the victims, as he announced the launch during a visit to the site located south of Mosul.
The excavation process is being coordinated with the Nineveh Court of Appeal to ensure adherence to legal protocols. The governor acknowledged the financial limitations faced by Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation but assured that the province will bear the responsibility for funding the excavation project, expected to take about a year, while emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Governor Al-Dakhil highlighted a clear roadmap for the project, ensuring close monitoring by local and international bodies. He expressed the sentiment that families should not be left waiting indefinitely for answers regarding their missing loved ones. Furthermore, he mentioned the initiative would also cover other mass graves in Tal Afar and Sinjar.
According to initial reports, ISIS is believed to have conducted massive executions at the Al-Khasfa site, with estimates indicating up to 2,000 victims were killed daily during their reign from 2014 to 2017. Notably, in February, Iraqi authorities had previously received the remains of several Nineveh residents who were executed by ISIS militants in 2016.
The excavation of the Al-Khasfa Pit represents a critical step towards addressing the atrocities committed by ISIS in Iraq. Led by Governor Al-Dakhil, this initiative aims to identify the victims and bring closure to bereaved families. Despite financial challenges, the local government is committed to funding the project, which underscores an ongoing effort to recover and honor the lives lost during this tragic period in the region’s history.
Original Source: shafaq.com
