The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has buried thousands of their victims in at least 72 mass grave across Iraq and Syria, according to exclusive interviews, photos and research conducted by the Associated Press news agency.
Amounting to the most comprehensive survey of ISIL massacre sites to date, AP obtained locations of 17 mass graves in Syria, including one with the bodies of hundreds of members of a single tribe all but exterminated when ISIL took over their region.
Of the 72 mass graves documented in the investigation, the smallest contained three bodies; the largest is believed to hold thousands, but no one knows for sure.
ISIL, also known as ISIS, has made no attempt to hide its atrocities. In fact it boasted of them. But proving what United Nations officials and others have described as an ongoing genocide – and prosecuting those behind it – will be complicated as the graves deteriorate.
In its own propaganda, ISIL made clear its intention to wipe out the Yazidi community.
The Yazidi faith, one of the region’s oldest, has elements of Christianity and Islam but is distinct. In an issue of its online English-language magazine Dabiq, ISIL scolded Muslims for allowing the Yazidis to continue existing, calling their ancient religion a form of paganism.