Authorities in Iraq’s Ninawa province have initiated steps to open the mass grave in “Al-Khasfa,” located 20 kilometers south of Mosul, considered one of the largest in Iraq and globally. The grave, used by ISIS between 2014 and 2017 for executions and burials, holds an estimated 25,000 victims, primarily civilians and security personnel.
The Ninawa Governor, Abdel Qader Al-Dakhil, confirmed the start of operations, which include clearing mines and military debris around the site. A scientific committee from the University of Mosul is overseeing the required studies.
Al-Dakhil also noted that the site’s geological complexity, including its depth (over 150 meters), horizontal and vertical extensions, and toxic gas emissions, makes excavation risky and requires international support.
Legal issues remain as many families cannot claim their loved ones due to the lack of remains to issue death certificates. Human rights organizations have praised the initiative, highlighting over 8,200 missing persons from Ninawa who are believed to be buried in this mass grave. The long-awaited exhumation of this mass grave is seen as an essential step toward delivering justice for victims’ families and providing closure.
