Iraqi authorities have commenced the excavation of a large mass grave near Mosul, believed to have been left by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group during its occupation of the region. The site, known as Al-Khasfa, is thought to contain over 4,000 victims, including Yazidis and soldiers, making it one of the largest mass graves attributed to IS in Iraq. Official estimates suggest the number of bodies could range between 4,000 and 15,000. This grave is among dozens of similar sites discovered across Iraq and Syria, where thousands of people were killed by IS. The exhumation efforts are expected to require international support and aim to uncover the remains of victims of IS atrocities committed about a decade ago. Human Rights Watch has estimated that approximately 400,000 individuals may be buried in mass graves throughout Iraq. The excavation represents a significant step in addressing the legacy of IS violence in the region.