CAIRO (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th September, 2018) Anti-government protesters in Iraqi Basra have set the offices of Shiite-dominated parties on fire, a local source told Sputnik Thursday.
The headquarters of the National Wisdom Movement (Hikmah), which is led by cleric and politician Ammar Hakim, was attacked alongside offices belonging to the Badr Organization militia and the Asaib Ahl al-Haq paramilitary group, both of which had fought against the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, outlawed in Russia).
At least seven people have been killed and around 100 injured so far in the Basra protests, which broke out on Monday, according to the Iraqi human rights commission. The commission also said that security forces used excessive force and called for restraint on both sides.
The protesters are demanding supplies of clean drinking water and electricity. On Tuesday and Wednesday, protesters set the city and regional government buildings on fire, while the army used tear gas and live rounds to disperse demonstrators when clashes erupted. Protesters also reportedly blocked Umm Qasr, Iraq's largest port.
Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's most influential Shiite politician, on Thursday called on the parliament to convene an emergency session before Sunday to address the situation in Basra.
The previous protests in Basra broke out in June before spreading to other areas of southern Iraq. Discontent has been sparked by problems with electricity and water supplies that have been exacerbated by scorching heat this summer. The government had formed a special commission to deal with the demands, pledging to allocate some $17 million to fixing electricity and water supplies. The promise resulted in protests subsiding before reigniting on Monday.
