One protester died and 11 more were injured during demonstrations in Basra, local security and health sources reported.
The Iranian consulate in the al-Barda'iya area of Basra was set on fire and stormed by protesters on September 7, a source told Sputnik. Kurdistan 24 reported that protesters also attacked the US consulate in the city.
Demonstrators also stormed a facility of the Lukoil-managed West Qurna 2 oilfield, briefly taking two local employees hostage, Lukoil and local energy police reported later on Friday. Sources from the company and local security forces said the protesters freed the two employees and peacefully left the premises about an hour later.
Protesters have stormed several government buildings, as well as the offices a state-funded TV channel on September 6.
متظاهرو #البصرة العراقية يهتفون أمام القنصلية الإيرانية: "#إيران برا برا والبصرة حرة حرة”#البصره_تهتف_ضد_ايران #العراق pic.twitter.com/YVenD2ZMDa
— الأكثر مشاهدة (@TopSaudiNews2) September 7, 2018
The headquarters of local authorities and political parties have reportedly been set on fire. Protesters have also blocked Iraq's biggest port, Umm Qasr.
#BREAKING
— Iraq Day (@iraq_day) September 7, 2018
The #Iranian consulate in #Basra south #Iraq is one fire now as thousands of protestors try storm it. pic.twitter.com/NPnvu7DzHN
Basra has been rocked by protests since September 3, with residents demanding that authorities fix the situation with drinkable water and electricity in the city, as well as deal with rising unemployment.
Protesters Storm And Torch Iranian Consulate In Iraq's Basra https://t.co/yCIC3EJcth pic.twitter.com/R4NGKe9tFx
— Tuck's News (@tucksnews) September 7, 2018
At least 10 people have been killed in the protests on both sides and many more injured. The Iraqi government will hold an extraordinary session on September 8 to discuss the situation in Basra.
