December 28, 2020
BAGHDAD
The Ahwar of southern Iraq also known as the Iraqi Marshlands draws global attention with its natural beauty.
The Mesopotamian marshes, a region of about 20,000 square kilometers located on Iraq’s border with Iran, was subjected to a draining policy by the Saddam Hussein regime during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988).
Most of the population living in the region, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, had to migrate during the military conflict as a result of the draining policy.
Local people, who returned home after the Saddam regime was overthrown in 2003, complain that the region has been neglected by current governments.