Mass Grave of Saddam Hussein's Victims Found After 40 Years
World
In Iraq, archaeologists and criminologists have begun excavation work on a mass grave that dates back to the 1980s. The grave, found near the village of Tal al-Shayhiya in the Mutanna province, contained the remains of at least 100 women and children, dressed in traditional Kurdish spring clothing. Experts believe these individuals were victims of the repression carried out during Saddam Hussein's regime.
According to Diya Karim, head of Iraq's mass graves investigation department, the women and children were killed nearly 40 years ago as part of "Anfal Campaign," one of Hussein's bloodiest operations against the Kurdish population.
Most of the victims were shot in the head at close range, while others were presumably buried alive.
"Some of the remains are linked together. We see how mothers held their babies at the time of death," said one of the archaeologists.
The excavations also uncovered another mass grave near the notorious Nugrat-el-Salman prison, which was used to hold political prisoners during Hussein's rule.
According to the Iraqi government, as a result of the dictator's repression between 1980 and 1990, around 1.3 million people went missing. Saddam Hussein was executed in 2006 for crimes against humanity.
Most of the victims were shot in the head at close range, while others were presumably buried alive.
"Some of the remains are linked together. We see how mothers held their babies at the time of death," said one of the archaeologists.
The excavations also uncovered another mass grave near the notorious Nugrat-el-Salman prison, which was used to hold political prisoners during Hussein's rule.
According to the Iraqi government, as a result of the dictator's repression between 1980 and 1990, around 1.3 million people went missing. Saddam Hussein was executed in 2006 for crimes against humanity.
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