Iraq’s “Pepsi massacre” victims commemorated by mural in Mosul

Mosul (IraqiNews.com) The victims of a horrific massacre committed by Islamic State militants in Mosul in 2017, where several families were killed upon fleeing the extremists’ grip, have been commemorated by locals in the city.

The names of victims of the massacre, which occurred at a so-called “Pepsi factory street”, named after the soda factory located there, is now commemorated with a mural bearing their names.

Members of the extremist group, situated above the buildings of the nearby Najjar area, opened fire in June 2017 at several families who were trying to flee the Zanjili neighborhood in Mosul via the Pepsi factory street, during clashes with Iraqi troops. The United Nations said at the time that more than 200 civilians were killed.

London-based The New Arab quoted activists behind the work that they intend to add more victims’ names when they get approval from their relatives.

It quoted Emad al-Hayyali, a former local official, saying that though markedly appalling, the massacre did not win enough attention by Iraqi authorities in terms of compensation for victims. He added that many of those who disappeared on the day of the catastrophe remain missing.

Iraqi government forces regained control of Mosul In July 2017. The city was the birthplace of Islamic State when its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared the establishment of the groups rule in Iraq and Syria from Mosul’s Old City mosque.