Iraqi officials say government forces have discovered a mass grave containing the remains of around 400 people near Fallujah during their push to retake the city from the extremist Islamic State (IS) group.
Unidentified security sources were quoted by news agencies as saying on June 5 that Iraqi forces discovered the grave in the suburb of Saqlawiya northwest of Fallujah.
"Most of the remains belonged to military personnel who were detained and killed by [IS fighters]," one military official told dpa on condition of anonymity.
A police colonel in the Anbar Province, where Fallujah is located, was quoted by AFP as saying that the mass burial site was uncovered during a mine-clearing operation in the Shuhada neighborhood of Saqlawiya.
"The mass grave contains about 400 bodies of members of the military. There are also some civilians," the police colonel told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Rajeh Barakat, a member of the Anbar provincial council, confirmed the discovery to AFP.
"The mass grave also includes civilians executed by [IS militants] on various charges such as spying or breaking the organization's rules," Barakat told AFP.
Iraqi forces, with air support from the U.S.-led coalition and backing from Shi'ite militias, launched the offensive to retake Fallujah two weeks ago.
Iraqi officials said earlier on June 5 that that they had secured the the southern edge of the city.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Central Asian Returnees Struggle To Find Work Amid Russia's Record-High Deportations
2The West Doesn't Want Ukraine To Lose But Isn't Ready For It To Win, Says Russia Policy Expert
3Hundreds Evacuated After Ukrainian Strike On Crimean Fuel Depot
4Putin, Pashinian Agree To Withdraw Russian Troops From Armenia-Iran Border
5Photo Archive Offers Rare Glimpse Into Daily Life In Communist Bulgaria
6Ukraine Live Briefing: Kyiv Says It Hit Russian Drone Facility
7Moscow's Ambassador To U.S. Concludes Term, Returning Home
8Why So Many Hungarians Are Staying Child-Free
9Mass Exit Of Migrant Workers Is Changing The Face Of Russia's Taxi Scene
10Israel Says Nasrallah's Successor Likely 'Eliminated'; Harris Blasts Iran
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
