Iraq’s PM Visits Basra, Rejects Attacks on Consulates, Diplomatic Missions

The Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi rejected, during a visit to Al-Basra province on Monday, the attacks on the consulates and the diplomatic missions in the entire country, stressing that providing the various services to the city requires restoring security across it.

In this context, Al-Abadi confirmed reinforcing the military units deployed in Al-Basra, adding that this matches the province’s security needs.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Force who defeated ISIL Takfiri forces said on Saturday it had evidence showing US diplomatic missions in the Arab country have instigated the recent violence in the southern oil-rich city of Basra.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the volunteer force, which is also known as Hashd Shaabi, held Washington responsible for the Basra unrest, saying it was actually meant to sow discord among different Iraqi political parties and movements.

Basra has been rocked by deadly protests since Tuesday. The protests took an ugly turn on Friday when a group of masked assailants raided government buildings and offices of political parties and set them ablaze. The Iranian consulate was among the premises gutted in the rampage.

At least 15 protesters have died in clashes with security forces since the beginning of the month, health officials have said.