The source told National Iraqi News Agency that Popular Mobilization Forces ran into the grave in al-Riyad region. He said it contained the relics of citizens of southern and western Kirkuk executed by the militants during the occupation of Hawija, their former bastion southwest of the province.

As Iraqi troops recaptured areas held by Islamic State militants since 2014, they have regularly run into mass graves of civilians and security agents executed by militants over accusations of fleeing the group’s havens or collaborating with security forces.

Iraqi troops recaptured Kirkuk’s Hawija in September.

Iraq’s war against the Islamic State displaced millions of civilians both inside and outside the country, and left thousands dead.

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