Iraqi forces uncover more IS mass graves

IRAQI security forces have found mass graves in an area recently retaken from the Islamic State group that could contain up to 400 bodies.

The bodies of civilians and security forces were found in an abandoned air base near Hawija, a northern town retaken in early October, according to the Kirkuk governor Rakan Saed.

He did not say when authorities will start exhuming the bodies from the graves.

Khalaf Luhaibi, a local shepherd who led troops to the site, said IS used to bring captives to the area and shoot them dead or pour oil over them and set fire to them.

The area was strewn with torn clothing and what appeared to be human bones and skulls.

Some of the victims were in civilian clothes but others were wearing the jumpsuits that IS used to dress people who were condemned to death.

Iraqi forces have already uncovered several mass graves in other newly liberated areas.

Last year, a survey of mass graves that identified 72 sites was published. They could contain from 5,200 to more than 15,000 bodies.

On Saturday, Iraq revealed an operation to take back a patch of territory on the western edge of the country near the border with Syria.

Hours later, the defence ministry announced the capture of the Romana area, saying the troops will head to nearby town of Rawa.

According to Ahmed al-Asadi, a spokesman for the Shiite-majority paramilitary forces, Rawa is the last Iraqi town held by IS who still control some scattered small villages in mainly desert areas.