UNESCO has named Iraqi marshlands as a World Heritage Site, a bright spot for a country where extremist groups have repeatedly sought to wipe out history, AFP reported Monday (July 18th).

The area named "is made up of seven sites: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern Iraq", UNESCO 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 said.

"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," UNESCO said.

Iraq has been seeking World Heritage status for the marshes since 2003.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated the Iraqi people on UNESCO's decision, and thanked "all those who contributed to this success".

Culture in Iraq will continue "despite the destruction and demolition of Iraqi heritage and antiquities by barbaric terrorist gangs", he added, referring to the destruction by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) of artefacts in Mosul, Nimrud and Hatra.