Mass Grave Found in Iraq Containing 25 Yazidis Apparently Killed by IS

MOSCOW, February 2 (Sputnik) — The remains of at least 25 members of the Yazidi Kurds were discovered by peshmerga forces in northwestern Iraq, AFP reports.

"Peshmerga forces discovered a mass grave yesterday [Sunday] containing the remains of about 25 people — men, children and women — from the Yazidi [sect],” Myaser Haji Saleh, a local official said, according to AFP.

A peshmerga officer also told AFP that the grave was discovered near Sinuni when Kurdish forces were conducting a sweep for mines and explosive devices possibly left by the Islamic State (IS) militants. Some of the victims found were apparently shot dead, while others were “slaughtered” with knives, the officer added.

Al Arabiya points out that hundreds of members of the Yazidi minority living in Iraq are believed to have been killed by IS during the Islamist group’s offensive in the northern regions of the country. The militants also buried some of their victims alive and kidnapped about 300 women as slaves, Iraqi Human Rights Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said, according to the news agency.

Yazidi is a national and ethnic minority of Kurdish origin, who follow an ancient religion linked to Zoroastrianism. Yazidis live primarily in the northern regions of Iraq where IS launched its major offensive in June 2014.