Mass Grave Reportedly Found In East Syria

December 17, 2014

Syrian activists say the bodies of more than 230 people believed to have been killed by Islamic State (IS) militants have been found in a mass grave in eastern Syria.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on December 17 that they were thought to be members of the Sheitat tribe that fought the extremist group in Deir al-Zour Province in the summer.

It said the mass grave was discovered near the village of Kashkiya after the Sheitat were allowed to return to their homes by IS leaders.

The Observatory said the bodies found would bring the number of Sheitat members killed by IS militants to more than 900.

In neighboring Iraq, Kurdish forces said they launched a broad offensive backed by U.S.-led coalition air strikes to retake the northeastern Sinjar area from the IS group.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP