Iraq commemorates the National Day of Mass Graves on Friday, May 16, honoring victims of mass killings committed over decades, particularly under the former Baathist regime.
According to the Mass Graves Directorate at the Martyrs Foundation, 314 mass graves have been uncovered since 2003, including 160 linked to the former regime and 154 to terrorism, mainly by ISIS.
Most victims are from the Shiite and Yazidi communities. Eighty-one suspected sites remain unopened, with some, like Tal al-Sheikhiyah in Samawah, containing multiple graves.
Director Dhurgham al-Husseini highlighted major challenges, including a lack of technical staff and limited funding. Excavations rely on international support and are conducted in partnership with forensic authorities and the ICMP.
Recovered personal items are used for victim identification and legal documentation, with DNA testing required before any are returned to families. Efforts continue under existing mass graves laws, with new legal amendments currently under discussion in Parliament.
