Thousands found buried in 72 mass graves: report

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has buried thousands of their victims in at least 72 mass grave across Iraq and Syria, according to exclusive interviews, photos and research conducted by the Associated Press news agency.

Amounting to the most comprehensive survey of IS massacre sites to date, AP obtained locations of 17 mass graves in Syria, including one with the bodies of hundreds of members of a single tribe all but exterminated when ISIL took over their region.

Of the 72 mass graves documented in the investigation, the smallest contained three bodies; the largest is believed to hold thousands, but no one knows for sure.

IS has made no attempt to hide its atrocities. In fact it boasted of them. But proving what United Nations officials and others have described as an ongoing genocide - and prosecuting those behind it - will be complicated as the graves deteriorate.

In its own propaganda, IS made clear its intention to wipe out the Yazidi community.

The Yazidi faith, one of the region's oldest, has elements of Christianity and Islam but is distinct. In an issue of its online English-language magazine Dabiq, IS scolded Muslims for allowing the Yazidis to continue existing, calling their ancient religion a form of paganism.

Nearly all of the areas recaptured from ISIL control have unmasked new graves, many of which are covered with just a thin coating of earth.

"They don't even try to hide their crimes," said Sirwan Jalal, the director of Iraqi Kurdistan's agency in charge of mass graves.

"They are beheading them, shooting them, running them over in cars, all kinds of killing techniques, and they don't even try to hide it."