Iraqis protest unemployment, power outages; one killed

By Ibrahim Salih

BASRA (AA) – An Iraqi demonstrator was killed on Sunday during a protest against unemployment and power outage in southern Iraq, according to an Iraqi police officer.

Security forces opened fire to disperse hundreds of demonstrators, who gathered in Bahla district in northern Basra to protest unemployment and electricity cuts in the province, lieutenant Sarmad Hussein said.

“One protester was killed and three others were injured,” he told Anadolu Agency.

He said the security forces intervened to prevent protestors from blocking a road leading to oil companies operating in the area.

Earning most of its revenue from oil, Iraq drills about 80 percent of its crude oil exports from the oil wells in Basra.

Basra residents demand that locals, instead of foreigners, should be employed by the oil companies. They also complain about repeated power outage amid high temperature that hits near 50 degrees.

Last week, Iran, which supplies electricity to the southern Iraqi provinces of Ziqar and Misan, has suspended electricity supplies over rising debts.

*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story from Ankara