50 Mass Graves Uncovered in Ex-Daesh Territory in Iraq: UN
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – More than 50 mass graves have been discovered in territory formerly controlled by Daesh (ISIL) group militants in Iraq, including three burial pits in a football field, the UN envoy to the country said.
Jan Kubis told the Security Council on Friday that evidence of the "heinous crimes" committed by the terrorists in Iraq were being uncovered as territory is retaken from Daesh.
"More than 50 mass graves have been discovered so far in several areas of Iraq," he said, AFP reported.
Iraqi forces have retaken significant ground from the terrorists in recent months.
In the city of Ramadi, three graves containing a total of up to 40 sets of remains were found in a football field on April 19, said Kubis.
Ramadi was declared liberated when Iraqi forces seized the main government compound back from the Daesh late last year, but the city was completely retaken only in February.
The envoy said the humanitarian crisis was worsening in Iraq, with nearly a third of the population, or over 10 million people, now requiring urgent aid -- double the number from last year.
He projected that a further two million people could be displaced by the end of the year by new military campaigns aimed at driving out the Daesh group.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces launched an offensive in March in the province of Nineveh, of which Daesh-controlled Mosul is the capital. The terrorists have held Mosul since June 2014.
Kubis urged Iraqi leaders to resolve differences that have led to street protests in Baghdad, saying that the turmoil will only help Daesh maintain its foothold.
"They are the ones who stand to benefit from political instability and lack of reforms," said Kubis.
Last week, protesters in Baghdad stormed parliament after MPs again failed to approve nominees for a cabinet of technocrats to replace the government of party-affiliated ministers.
