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Mass graves in Iraq are characterized as unmarked sites containing at least six bodies. Some can be identified by mounds of earth piled above the ground or as deep pits that appear to have been filled. Some older graves are more difficult to identify, having been covered by vegetation and debris over time. Sites have been discovered in all regions of the country and contain members of every major religious and ethnic group in Iraq as well as foreign nationals, including Kuwaitis and Saudis.[1]
Several entities and groups have deployed mass graves to cover up theExtrajudicial killing of civilians, enemy combatants, and rival factions in various civil conflicts. Under the rule ofSaddam Hussein, mass graves were used to bury Iranian soldiers who were killed on Iraqi territory. It was also used during the same time period on Kurds in the north of Iraq during theAnfal Campaign.[2] It was then widely used to bury civilians, protesters, defectors, and armed resistance groups that participated in the1991 Iraqi uprisings[3]
In the span of 21 years of searching, 3115 bodies from the1991 Iraqi uprisings have been found in total[4] and 605-755 bodies from theAnfal campaign have been found in total.[5][6][7]
Mass graves continued to be used following the fall of the regime in 2003. They were used by various factions that committed mass murder during theIraqi Civil War[8] They were then used byISIS as they massacred civilians during the time where they controlled Iraqi territory. It is estimated that 200 mass graves are in the city ofMosul alone due to the group's actions.[9]
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Following the fall of the Baath regime, efforts were made by both Iraqi authorities and international organizations to uncover mass graves in Iraq.[10] Several US Senate committee investigations have been held to examine this topic.[11]
| Remains Found | Location | Year found | Timeframe which grave was dug | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | Samawah | 2005 | 1980-1988 | Victims wereKurds; most of whom were women, children and teenagers[5] |
| 492 | Al Diwaniyah | 2011 | 1988 | Victims were Kurds, likely part of theAnfal campaign[6] |
| 3,115 | Al-Mahawil | 2003 | 1991 | A collection of three mass graves in the southern part of Iraq. This happened during the 1991 uprising where most of the victims were likely Shia'a Muslims.[4] |
| 150+ | Samawah | 2024 | ?? | Victims were identified as women and children wearing Kurdish style clothing.[7] |
| Remains Found | Location | Year found | Timeframe which grave was dug | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Karbala | 2008 | 2007 | Victims wereShepherds who were reported missing in 2007[12] |
| 10 | Al-Mahawil | 2019 | 2014 | The remains of ten people who were abducted and murdered in 2015. The identity of the victims has never been published.[13] |
| 12 | Fallujah | 2007 | 2006 | Most of the victims have no IDs, but officials have said they were likely abducted and murdered by insurgents, one was a paramedic.[14] |
The 2014 film The Blue Man,[15] which is related toThe New York Times article titled "Uncovering Iraq's Horrors in Desert Graves"[16] written byJohn F. Burns, is about The Blue Man mass grave located inAl-Mahawil.
