Iraq's second city was held by the Islamic State group for three years until its liberation by government forces in 2017. After capturing the city in 2014, IS warned Christians to "leave or face execution."

The grave, west of the city, was found by security forces. According to the Syriac Orthodox Church, it contained the remains of "Christians who were kidnapped from the region... Some of them were women and children. They had small Christian crosses with them."

Syrian Christian Graves Looted

Meanwhile, in Syria, desecrated Christian graves and family tombs have been found in Harasta, a town just outside the capital Damascus, reports The New Arab, which has published a series of graphic pictures showing decomposed corpses in opened coffins.

According to church and municipal officials, the graves were looted during the town's occupation by Syrian government forces. Coffins were found opened and devoid of the valuable items customarily buried alongside Syrian Christian families, The New Arab said.

"The regime dug up more than 300 Christian graves and inflicted serious damage to the tombs and corpses lying inside as they searched for precious stones and jewelry," said the head of the town's council, Husam al-Beiruni. He added that Christians had lived in Harasta "for more than 100 years before the violence that forced them to flee".

This article originally appeared on World Watch Monitor.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Hundreds Accept Jesus Christ in Poland at Franklin Graham Rally

Grammy-Winning Christian Artist Mandisa Has Died: Report

How You Can Send Letters of Encouragement to Jailed Pro-Life Heroes

'Americans Cannot Allow the Biden Administration to Sign Away Their Birthright': Congressmen Warn of WHO Pandemic Agreement

Illegal Immigrants Being Moved into Soldiers' Home Where Veterans Must Pay to Stay

House Democrats Vow to Codify 'Rights' to Trans Surgeries, Hormones, Puberty Blockers

18-Year-Old Female Trans Student Charged for Planning Two Maryland School Shootings, Manifesto Said She Wanted to Be 'Famous'

Israel Strikes Deep Inside Iran, Nuclear Facilities NOT Hit

An Important Message from Japan to the world about the WHO, Japan and the Next So-called 'Vaccine'

Rand Paul: Brave Marine Revealed that 15 US Agencies Knew COVID-19 Was Created in Lab in 2018; But They Kept It Secret from American Public (VIDEO)

Confirmed: Researchers Reveal COVID mRNA Vaccines Contain Component that Suppresses Immune Response and Stimulates Cancer Growth

Farmers, Truckers Warn California Emissions Mandates Will Cause 'Catastrophic' Supply Chain Crisis

Fed Court Overturns State Law Protecting Women's Sports from 'Transgender' Athletes

Furry Infestation: Middle School Students Walk Out in Protest after School Leaders Allow 'Furries' to Terrorize Them (VIDEO)

Biden's Education Secretary Vows to Shut Down the Largest Christian University in the US

US to Back Rafah Op in Exchange for Israel Dropping Major Iran Strike; Report

Schumer Succeeds in Killing Off Mayorkas Impeachment Trial before It Can Even Begin

California Town Tears Down Beloved Hillside Cross

Danielle Smith Again Defends Alberta's Coming Ban on Transgender Mutilation of Children

Detransitioners: We Were Pushed to Transition as Teens, Now We're 'Vindicated' By Study Showing Kids Grow Out of It