MARSH ARABS
The Marsh Arabs are mainly Shia Muslims who once inhabited the marshes around the southern reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
They are believed to have lived in the ancient wetlands along the border with Iran for 5,000 years.
Marsh Arabs numbered about 250,000 a decade ago. Most have become displaced after the Iraqi Government pursued a policy of draining the marshes.
In the post-Saddam era, the decimated Marsh Arab community do not appear to have organised themselves politically.