The exhumation of the remains from the mass grave discovered in Manbij has been completed. 29 bodies were found in the mass grave in front of the Manbij Democratic Civil Administration building in the city center.

The mass grave was discovered on the morning of 28 July by Manbij People's Municipality employees while working on the sewerage system.

The Internal Security Forces and Health Committee teams arrived at the scene and started the excavation. Initially, 6 bodies were exhumed, but subsequently the remains of 29 people have been discovered in the mass grave.

It is believed that the bodies found are of people kidnapped by ISIS mercenaries.

ISIS mercenaries had occupied Manbij from the beginning of 2014 until August 2016.

According to preliminary information, there were two children in the mass grave. Most of the bodies exhumed had their hands tied and were blindfold, something reminding of ISIS executions.

Teams also found some documents in the mass grave, but it has not yet been confirmed whether the documents relate to the bodies.

Difficulties with identifying the bodies

The building where the bodies were found, one of the biggest prisons of ISIS, is located in an area where ISIS has a base in the regional administration.

The Manbij administration is trying to collect information and documents to identify the bodies. It is expected that a statement will be made to the press and the public when the process is concluded.