Iraq Human Rights Commission recovers thousands of bodies in Mosul

The presence of mines, explosive devices, and remnants of war have led to many dangerous incidents in liberated areas.

Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Commission on Human Rights on Monday said its civil defense teams recovered thousands of bodies in Mosul, most of them victims of the war against the so-called Islamic State (IS).

“The Directorate of Civil Defense teams in the province of Nineveh [Mosul] had recovered 2,843 bodies since Nov. 6, following the defeat of the extremist group [last year],” Fadel al-Gharawi, a member of the Human Rights Commission, stated.

“There were 1,992 unidentified adult bodies, and 851 of children, of which 345 were identified.”

According to Gharrawi, the presence of mines, explosive devices, and remnants of war have led to many dangerous incidents, the latest which was the death of a child and injury to two in Mosul’s old city after a live mine exploded near the Great Nuri Mosque.

The Human Rights Commission member pointed out that the presence of such explosives represents a major obstacle in the return of a significant number of displaced persons to their areas.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed since IS overran large parts of Iraq in mid-2014. The group’s threat led to an influx of displaced persons to seek refuge in the Kurdistan Region.

Gharrawi called on all security ministries to expedite the removal of mines and explosives. He also urged the Ministry of Health to complete DNA examinations and identify the rest of the bodies.

Despite Iraq declaring a “final victory” against IS in December 2017, the militant group continues to carry out random attacks, including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings in previously liberated areas.