"The citizens of Seddah, Iraq, held the city’s first arts festival since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team attended the festival, which was titled 'Seddah's Happiness,' in the Seddah City Park.

'During Saddam's time, we were not allowed to conduct such festivals," Seddah Mayor Ali said. "The only festivals were religious. Since the liberation of Iraq, the security situation was not safe enough to conduct any festivals. [The 4th BCT soldiers] have made our area safe, and this is the reason we were able to hold this festival.'"