On Sunday protesters blocked the road leading to the Shalamcheh border point between Iran and Iraq. The main road between Basra city centre leading towards Karmat Ali on its northern outskirts was also blocked with burning tires.
Iran stopped exporting electricity to Iraq in order to meet its own high demand during the extreme summer heat. Protesters angered by the move also want to see the money raised in customs duties at Shalamcheh invested in their community.
Iraqi SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) security forces were deployed to reinforce the local government headquarters on Sunday following clashes between local security forces and protesters the day before.
Oil-rich Basra creates the bulk of Iraq’s wealth yet its people have seen little of that money invested in public services and infrastructure.
Fourteen people were killed and several hundred wounded in July’s mass protests. Security forces also arrested hundreds of protesters, raising serious human rights concerns.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pledged to meet the “legitimate” demands of protesters, while condemning the violence.
Local leaders are demanding more autonomy from the federal government.
Photos: AFP
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