Iraq PM heads to oil-rich Basra after violent protests
BASRA: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi went to Basra on Friday hoping to restore calm in the southern city, which has been gripped by protests over unemployment, his office said.
Abadi flew straight into the city from Brussels where he attended a NATO summit to discuss the Islamic State group and immediately held talks with officials, a statement said.
Islamic State: free Sunni women or Iraqi security men die
Demonstrations have been ongoing over the past several days, with protesters in some cases setting tyres ablaze to block roads and trying to storm government installations.
The protests erupted on Sunday and security forces opened fire killing a protester, sparking further anger.
As well as unemployment, protesters are frustrated by rising living costs and a lack of basic services in the city, the capital of Basra province.
There were further protests on Friday morning and calls for a demonstration in the afternoon in front of the local provincial headquarters.
On Thursday Oil Minister Jabbar al Luaibi said protesters tried to break into an oil installation in the West Qurna oil field of Basra province.
Iraq elections thrown open as outsiders appear strong
People have carried drugs pretending to carrying naswar in the past
Iraq executes 12 after PM calls for speedy executionsIraq put to death 12 convicted of terrorism hours after Prime Minister Haider al Abadi called for speedy executions
Two Filipinas kidnapped in Iraq: security sourcesThe women were travelling with three other nationals of Philippines on their way to Erbil
More in World
Original news : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1757127/3-iraq-pm-heads-oil-rich-basra-violent-protests/