Iraqi officials excavate suspected ISIS mass grave in al-Khafsa

In Iraq, officials have commenced the excavation of a suspected mass grave linked to the atrocities committed by the Islamic State extremist group. This operation started on August 9, 2025, at a sinkhole in the al-Khafsa area, located south of Mosul, following a request from Nineveh province's governor, Abdulqadir al-Dakhil. Local authorities are collaborating with several organizations, including Iraq’s Martyrs’ Foundation and the judiciary, to investigate this site, where it is estimated that thousands of victims may be buried. The process is currently focused on collecting visible human remains and surface evidence, which is necessary before full exhumation can be conducted. Al-Asady, who is in charge of the Martyrs Foundation’s mass graves excavation department, emphasized that the initial efforts could take around 15 days. A crucial part of the operation includes constructing a DNA database to help identify those buried. Exhumations will only advance once specialized support is obtained, particularly to deal with hazardous conditions like sulfur water and unexploded ordnance at the site. Investigators believe Khasfa could possibly be among the largest mass graves found in Iraq, though confirmation remains pending. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the grave contains the remains of many Iraqi military and police personnel, as well as victims from minority communities like the Yazidis, who faced severe persecution from ISIS. The excavation not only aims to recover the remains but also serves as a step towards justice for families of the victims. Rabah Nouri Attiyah, a lawyer deeply involved in cases of missing individuals, confirmed that he has collected vital information about the site from various judicial sources. There is a significant expectation that the grave may hold remains of those who were executed at the hands of ISIS, potentially offering closure to families seeking to identify their loved ones.