The Mesopotamian Marshes in southern Iraq were named a UNESCO world heritage site. These wetlands were drained extensively during the Saddam regime as punishment for alleged treachery perpetrated by the Marsh Arab inhabitants during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. The marshes have since recuperated. Some believe the marshes may have been the location of the Biblical Garden of Eden.
At least 117 people were killed, and four were wounded:
In Baghdad, a bomb killed a policeman and wounded four more.
Strikes on Dibis Makhoul left 23 militants dead.
Fourteen militants were killed in airstrikes against Qayara.
In Hawija, strikes left 12 militants dead.
Twelve militants were killed in the Thar Thar area.
Clashes left 12 militants dead in Doulab.
Airstrikes on Albu Ali al-Jassim left 10 militants dead.
Ten militants were killed in strikes south of Mosul.
Strikes in Kirkuk province killed 10 more.
In Hammam al-Alil, strikes left eight militants dead.
Four militants were killed in a strike against Riyadh.
In Mosul, unidentified gunmen killed a militant official.
Dozens of militants were killed in strikes against Hatra and Shirqat.
