Falcon29
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e3cda1440ebb
BASRA, Iraq — Protesters in this port city stormed the Iranian Consulate late Friday, setting it on fire and sharply escalating violent demonstrations that began over miserable living conditions but have grown into an indictment of Iraq’s stagnant politics.
The consulate was the latest symbol of entrenched power to be torched by protesters in Basra during a week of demonstrations, raising concerns that the unrest would draw a firm response from Iran, which controls several powerful militias in the oil-export city.
The attack on the consulate also upended notions of solidarity between Iraq’s Shiite heartland and Iran, the preeminent Shiite power in the region. The assault contributed to a growing sense that Iraq is slipping into a period of dangerous instability as powerful political parties remain locked in a struggle over the composition of the country’s next government.
Protesters said they targeted the consulate to vent their frustrations over abuses by Iran-backed militias in Basra, as well what they see as Tehran’s outsize influence over their city and over Iraq’s fractured politics.
The demonstrators complained that the militias run rampant in Basra, kidnapping and extorting money from their opponents and creating an atmosphere of fear. They said Iran has empowered the militias to enrich themselves at the expense of the city’s residents.
“Iran has destabilized Basra with their armed gangs,” said Sattar Hamdi, 50, a day laborer. “They have the upper hand here and with the politicians in Baghdad. I’m appealing to any foreign country, even Israel, for help because we’ve already lost Iraq to Iran.”
This link explains it well:
At least two people have died in Iraq's oil-rich province of Basra as protesters targeted and set fire to government and political party buildings in a fourth consecutive night of violent unrest.
Protesters angry over poor public services clashed with security forces in the southern city of Basra on Thursday and hurled Molotov cocktails at the regional government headquarters there.
Iraq's Human Rights Commission said two protesters died during the violence, taking the death toll to 11 since the weeks-long protest escalated on September 3.
One protester died on Thursday night from burns sustained during the torching of the government headquarters, health and security sources said.
Crowds attacked the offices of the state-run Iraqiya TV and set fire to the headquarters of the ruling Dawa Party, the Supreme Islamic Council and the Badr Organisation, whose leaders are all vying to form Iraq's ruling coalition.
Protesters also torched the offices of a powerful Shia armed group, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and those of the Hikma Movement, and stormed the house of the acting head of the provincial council.
Thousands of people took part in the protest.
The violence has prompted the temporary head of Iraq's parliament to call an emergency session on Saturday.
Legislators would "discuss the problems, the solutions and the latest situation" in Basra, a statement said on Friday.
The southern city has been the epicentre of protests that have rocked Iraq since July, with anger fuelled by pollution of the water supply that left 30,000 people in hospital.
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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018...vernment-buildings-basra-180907060304225.html
Well this happens under colonialism. Foreigners and a minority inside the country control the wealth of Iraq. The majority continue living under bad conditions even in areas untouched by war. This will continue happen because the priority is oil floating outside of Iraq
Colonialism is long gone bro, these issues are due to lack of necessary infrastructure. It doesn't help that these nations haven't seen political stability for many years running.