[ad_1]
The two largest electoral blocs in Iraq have called on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to resign Saturday after an emergency session of parliament to discuss the unrest in Basra that killed at least 12 people for several days of protest .
"We are asking the government to apologize to the people and resign immediately," said Hassan al-Aqouli, secretary general of the Sairoon Coalition, at the end of the session. The coalition is made up of the Conquest coalition and Sairoon, the winner of the recent legislative elections in Iraq.
Al-Abadi acknowledged the unrest that hit Basra but defended his record in parliament. He described the disturbances as "political sabotage" and claimed that the crisis in public services was being exploited for political ends.
The French news agency AFP said the protests this week were triggered by the hospitalization of 30,000 people who drank polluted water in Basra.
The unrest has prompted the Iraqi Interior Ministry to impose a curfew on Basra.
A Basra airport official said three Katyusha rockets had struck the perimeter of the airport Saturday morning, but that no injuries had been reported. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which did not prevent the aircraft from taking off or landing.
Consulate attacked
On Friday in Basra, hundreds of protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in that city and set it on fire, chanting "Iran, Iran, free Iraq, Free Iraq ".
Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Mahjoub said: "The targeting of diplomatic missions is unacceptable and prejudicial to the interests of Iraq."
Heather Nauert, spokesperson for the US State Department, said in a statement: "Under the Iraqi constitution, the right to peacefully protest and the duty to protect them, defend the right to peacefully protest and protect diplomats and their facilities. "
Various sources said that many residents of the predominantly Shiite city have accused Iran-backed political parties of interfering in Iraqi politics.
Arab media reported that Iran had closed its Shalamja border post with Iraq after the attack on its consulate and urged its citizens to leave Basra immediately.
Basra's chief of security, General Jamil al Shammari, said his men were trying not to attack the protesters, but that it was imperative to protect the government's strategic facilities.
Shammari said the demonstrations had not been peaceful and had been infiltrated by groups trying to provoke violence. He said his protesters threw grenades, burned army vehicles and government buildings and tried to kill people.
