Bodies of 20 victims, executed by Islamic State, found in mass grave in Mosul
Security forces find mass grave in Mosul. File photo.
A mass grave composed of bodies of 20 victims, executed by IS members, was found in al-Houd village, south of Mosul, a security source was quoted saying. A workshop including 450 bombs was also found.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared in July victory over IS militants who had held the second largest Iraqi city since 2014. More than 25,000 Islamic State militants were killed throughout the campaign. Abadi announced, in December, full liberation of Iraqi lands, declaring end of war against IS members.
Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition, was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group.
Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria.
According to the monthly release by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), 3298 civilians were killed and 4781 others were wounded in 2017, excluding Anbar civilian casualty figures for November and December, which are not available, the report added.