The European Union Representation to Iraq "calls on the Iraqi security forces to show maximum restraint and for protesters to keep protests peaceful."
They noted "escalating violence" over the past two days of underscores the need for an urgent formation of a new responsive government
"The EU looks forward to the formation of a government as soon as possible so that multiple challenges Iraq faces are addressed," read an EU statement.
"The challenges include the stabilisation of areas liberated from Da'esh, the return of close to two million IPDs, corruption and poor services and a range of economic challenges, as reflected in the legitimate grievances expressed by protesters," it added.
------
11:25 p.m.
Curfew back in effect for Basra
A curfew was re-imposed by Basra Operation Command on Thursday night amid the protests.
One protestor was killed and 30 more wounded, according Iraq's Ministry of Health.
Also local Firat TV, media close to Shiite politician Ammar al-Hakim, was set ablaze.
------
10:23 p.m.
Protests head for Iranian consulate
Angry protestors in Basra are marching toward the Iranian Consulate General. Iraqi Security Forces have deployed in large numbers to protect it.
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba has been lit on fire, four people injured.
------
9:56 p.m.
Protestors: The government is hurting us
The protestors see themselves as pragmatists, who are tired of promises from politicians — regardless of affiliations, and they want to see more than empty promises from the Iraqi capital.
"The youth of Basra are not on streets for nothing. They are here for their demands such as water and electricity. They [officials] give promises and say that they will implement them. These are all graduates who have not been employed at all ... Let people see us. The government is hurting us," said one youth.
Protestors speak to Rudaw's correspondent in Basra Mustafa Gorran amid protests on September 6, 2018. Video: Rudaw
Another young person in Basra explained the protests aren’t political.
"Basra is for everyone therefore we have all come out but all these parties do not give up jobs and oil. I graduated in 2016. I go to the municipality but they tell me 'you should have nepotism.' There is no work,” he said.
He pointed the finger at officials in Baghdad for "sitting in The Green Zone green zone under A/C" while they were suffering from lack of electricity.
------
A political belonging to Asaib Ahl al-Haq office building is set fire in Basra on September 6, 2018. Photo: Furnished to Rudaw
9:14 p.m.
Pro-Iran Shiite political offices torched in Basra
Protestors lit fire to offices belonging to Badr Organization and Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party in Basra on Thursday night.
Badr is an Iranian-backed Iraqi political party whose armed wing fought within the Hashd al-Shaabi during the ISIS conflict, and previously against US forces during the invasion. It is headed by Hadi al-Amiri, whose Fatih alliance won the second-most seats in Iraq's parliamentary election.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq office buildings were also set ablaze. The Shiite militia is loyal to Qais al-Khazali. They are fiercely pro-Khomeinism and reject Western, particularly British and American involvement in Iraq. Khazali and his network of followers supported Fatih in the latest election.
Protestors in oil-rich Basra are upset with a lack of jobs, services, and revenue sharing with the federal government.
------
5:05 p.m.
Local officials lift planned curfew in rioting Basra - report
Authorities canceled a planned curfew for Basra, Basra Operations Command told Reuters on Thursday afternoon.
The governor of Basra, Asaad al-Idani, reportedly sent a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi demanding for the head of Basra Operations Command be transferred outside the province on Tuesday.
On August 30, Abadi convened a crisis group for Basra, saying indifferent officials were "being held accountable."
------
Iraqi security forces arrive to disperse a protest against the government and the lack of basic services outside the regional government headquarters in the southern city of Basra on September 5, 2018. Haidar Mohammed Ali/AFP
3:45 p.m.
Basra put under curfew, security forces ordered not to use live fire
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A city-wide curfew has been ordered to come into place Thursday afternoon in Basra as leaders scramble to demonstrate to protesters they are addressing demands.
The curfew was declared as of 3pm Thursday, “because we received intelligence that there is intent to assault some buildings or do other things,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Saad Maan said in a press conference with several other officials.
Earlier this week, protesters set a provincial government building on fire during angry demonstrations against government corruption and lack of services.
Basra police arrested an individual accused of throwing hand grenades at security forces, Maan revealed, and a warrant is out for a second individual.
Several people have been killed and tens injured in the past week of protests.
Basra hospitals received 75 injured people in the last three days – including at least 43 civilians and 33 security forces, Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. Sayf al-Badr said at the press conference.
Five people have been killed, he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Iraq’s human rights commission said nine civilians have been killed and 93 injured in a week of protests. Eighteen members of the security forces have also been injured, according to the official organization.
There are multiple reports of security forces firing into crowds of protesters.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has ordered security forces not to use live ammunition, his military advisor said in the press conference.
Calling to mind the deaths of soldiers from Basra in the war against ISIS, Lt. Gen. Khalid al-Khuzaai, sent his condolences to the families of those killed in the protests, but warned against violent protests.
"We can't work on ending crisis through violations. The burning of governmental facilities extinguishes the rights of the people,” he said.
Maan warned the people not to trust “fabricated” videos and pictures on social media that accuse the security forces of cracking down on the protesters.
The protests, that began in July over corruption and lack of basic services, erupted again over the past week after thousands became ill from contaminated water.
Dr. Badr said hospitals are still receiving patients ill because of high salt levels in the water – 6,280 cases of diarrhea have been recorded.
No cases of cholera were recorded, he added.
Officials have also boosted electricity supplies to the province. People should now receive 20 hours of electricity daily, according to a government media spokesperson.
Water and electricity shortages are chronic problems in Iraq. Residents in some neighbourhoods of Kirkuk say they have not received water for 20 days, largely because of lack of electricity has left water storage and distribution stations dry.
Abadi said on Thursday he is ready to attend a special parliamentary session to discuss the Basra crisis.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment