Protests continue in Iraq despite curfew

Protest demonstrations continue in Iraq for the 9th day.

Protests that began in Basra on 8 July and spread to the cities of Najaf, Karbala, Zukkar, Misan, Babylon, Hille, Baghdad and Nasiriyah are continuing. 

Ten people have lost their life and at least 250 people were injured in protests so far and on Tuesday the funeral of a demonstrator took place in the city of Karbala. Thousands of people attended the funeral of Malik Ardavida and after the ceremony a new demonstration was held.

After five days of demonstrations in Basra, Karbala, Najaf and Zukkar the authorities declared a curfew.

People however, defied the order and stayed in the streets. In fact, the determination of protesters pushed the authorities to lift the curfew.

Unemployment is one of the reasons that prompted the demonstrations in the southern cities of Iraq.

In South Iraq there are oil reserves and oil refineries, unemployment remains high and it is reported that 80% of workers in oil refineries in Iraq's southern cities are brought in from other parts of Iraq.

Another reason for protests is the lack of electricity and the repeated power cuts.

Most of the electricity in south Iraq comes from Iran. And in the past few weeks, Iraqi Electricity Minister Kasım Fehdavi admitted that there was a problem in the agreement made with Iran over electricity supply.

According to the Iraqi media, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi has assigned the Minister of Electricity of Kasim Fehdavi and the Minister of Planning Selman Cumeyli to have talks in Saudi Arabia to find a solution to the energy problem causing the unrest.

Ministers are expected to visit Riyadh in the coming days and have talks with Saudi officials.

The Iraqi Prime Minister’s decision for talks in Saudi Arabia will, according to some political experts, have a negative effect on the relation between Iraq and Iran.