“Today, we are staging a protest in Baghdad to show support for the people of Basra. We call for a quick solution to their just demands and an immediate end to the deployment of this massive force against protestors,” said civil activist Hana Adur.
Dozens of people chanted slogans like ‘Baghdad supports you’ in solidarity with the southern province that saw deadly protests in the summer months as public anger over government corruption and mismanagement boiled over.
Basra has been Iraq’s economic powerhouse for decades and is a bridge between the country and the outside world by virtue of its abundant oil reserves and trade port. But its people see little benefit – poverty and unemployment are high and public services are weak. Thousands were admitted to hospital in the summer because of contaminated water.
The government scrambled to respond to protesters demands, promising revitalized infrastructure projects and money.
Protests, however, resumed this week in Basra with the province accusing the government of failing to keep its promises. Clean drinking water is still a problem.
Demonstrators have taken inspiration from protests in Paris and some donned the yellow vests that have become a symbol of public dissatisfaction.
Iraqi security forces reportedly fired live ammunition during a protest son Tuesday. There were no reports of injuries.
