"Local residents and shepherds guided security forces to the mass grave which appears to contain the remains of more than 75 civilians and security personnel," the governor of Kirkuk, Rakan Said al-Juburi said.

The governor said the victims had been "savagely executed by militants who occupied Hawija".

The mass grave was found near Ryadh village, 45 kilometres west of the city of Kirkuk, had been shot in the head with their hands bound behind their backs.

Hawija was one of the last cities that ISIS had control before it was defeated by Iraqi forces.

14 mass graves were found around Kirkuk area, 13 containing remains of victims of ISIS while another contains victims of Baath regime.