Iraqi marshlands named UNESCO world heritage site
Iraqi marshlands once ravaged by Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein have been named by the United Nations as World Heritage sites.
According to a statement published by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday, the area "is made up of seven sites: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern Iraq."
"The Ahwar of Southern Iraq - also known as the Iraqi Marshlands - are unique, as one of the world's largest inland delta systems, in an extremely hot and arid environment," the statement said.
"The archaeological cities of Uruk and Ur and the Tell Eridu archaeological site form part of the remains of the Sumerian cities and settlements that developed in southern Mesopotamia between the 4th and the 3rd millennium BCE," it added.
Iraq has been seeking World Heritage status for the marshlands since 2003.
Hailing the move by the UN, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated the Iraqi people and thanked "all those who contributed to this success."
Referring to the atrocities perpetrated by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group operating in parts of Iraq, the prime minister said that culture in his country will continue "despite the destruction and demolition of Iraqi heritage and antiquities by barbaric terrorist gangs".
The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since Daesh terrorists began a campaign of terror in the country in June 2014, when they overran the city of Mosul and declared it their so-called headquarters in Iraq.
Daesh terrorists have gained notoriety for their barbarity, heinous atrocities and sacrilegious acts. The militants have been accused of committing gross human rights violations and war crimes in the areas they control in Iraq as well as in neighboring Syria.
Iraqi army soldiers and allied volunteer fighters have been fighting to win back militant-held regions in joint operations.
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