Iraq says 40 bodies found in mass grave in Ramadi

BAGHDAD – Iraq says 40 bodies have been found in a mass grave in Ramadi, a provincial capital west of Baghdad recently taken back from the Islamic State group.

Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan said the grave in central Ramadi contained the bodies of police and civilians, including women and children.

Video footage from the site shows local security forces and a small forensics team wearing face masks and digging with shovels.

Ramadi, the provincial capital of the sprawling Anbar province, fell to IS in May, marking a major setback for U.S.-backed Iraqi forces. Iraqi troops retook the city center last month with heavy coalition air support.

Mass graves have been found in other areas liberated from the IS group, which has publicized its massacres of Shiites and other opponents.