By Mohammed Atti and Ahmed Saeed

UR/BABYLON, Iraq (Reuters) -Iraqi officials are sounding the alarm to save monuments of the cradle of civilisation, with thousands of years of history at risk of disappearing as Iraq’s ancient southern cities face erosion because of climate change.

Harsh, dry weather is increasing salinity in the soil and damaging the historical monuments in the ruins of cities such as Ur, the birthplace of the Biblical patriarch Abraham, and Babylon, once-magnificent capital of empires.

Sand dunes are causing the deterioration of the northern side of the majestic Ziggurat of Ur, a massive stepped pyramid temple that was dedicated more than 4,000 years ago to the moon god, Nanna.

“The combination of wind and sand dunes leads to the erosion of the northern sections of th

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