By Wikipedia BAGHDAD — The death toll for a devastating day of attacks across Iraq rose to 119 on Tuesday as the worst hit cities of Basra and Hilla south of…
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Al-Hillah is a city in central Iraq on the river Euphrates, 100 km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, with an estimated population of 364,700 in 1998. It is the capital of Babil province and is located near the ancient cities of Babylon, Borsippa and Kish. It is situated in a predominantly agricultural region which is extensively irrigated with water tapped from the river, producing a wide range of cereals, fruit and textiles. The city was once a major center of Islamic scholarship and education. The tomb of the Jewish prophet Ezekiel is reputed to be located in a nearby village. The city was established in 1101. It was established by the powerful Arab tribe of Bani Assad. It was commanded and founded by Ali bin Mazyid Al-Asadi of Bani Assad, the founder of the Mazayid State. It became a major administrative centre during the rule of the Ottoman and British Empires. It saw heavy fighting in 1920 during an uprising against the British, when 300 men of the Manchester Regiment were apparently defeated in the city. It is said where the Hanging Gardens of Babylon once were.
