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BAGHDAD – Iraqi security forces stepped up patrols on Saturday in the southern city of Basra, a strategically important oil port on the border with Iran, where long-standing protests over the quality of life have escalated into riots and violence .
The predominantly Shiite city is one of the poorest regions of Iraq, despite the huge neighboring oil reserves that fuel the national economy. Although Basra has escaped the terrorist violence that has ravaged the country for years, its people have had to face their own problems: high unemployment, ruined infrastructure and organized crime groups with leaders linked to powerful Shiite militias.
The city sent tens of thousands of its young men to northern Iraq in 2014 to fight the Islamic State. Now that many of them have returned from the battle in these same problems, their anger intensified, fueled by the frustration that their war sacrifices had not had tangible socio-economic repercussions.
Since June, residents of Basra have been organizing some of the biggest street protests in years, requiring clean water, jobs and better infrastructure in a city with a world-class stadium, but many residents live in rundown shantytowns.
As was the case last week, the demonstrations sometimes become violent, with crowds destroying symbols of Iraqi political power or other landmarks, such as those associated with Iran, which funds many political movements and Shiite militias.
In recent days, the offices of local political parties have been set on fire. It was the same for the provincial council building.
On Friday night, a crowd shouting anti-Iran slogans rushed to the perimeter of the sprawling Iranian consulate and set fire to the main entrance door in which the visitors were signing up. Some protesters sprayed graffiti, and a wall said, "Down with Iran, with the militia".
Abu Al-Hassan Alaa, 17, said he and his friends were motivated to target the Iranian structure because they opposed the Iranian political interference in Iraq.
"The Iranian intervention in the affairs of our country destroys Iraq," he said.
The main consulates remained intact, security officials said.
US officials have joined the Iranians in condemning the attack.
In the midst of these violent street scenes, Iraqi security forces opened fire. At least 15 people died last week and more than 200 were wounded, local officials said.
The unrest highlights deep-seated fractures among the majority Shiite population in Iraq and the frustrations of society at large about the incompetence of their political leaders.
Laith Hani, 46, said protesters should not be held responsible for the violence. politicians should instead be held responsible for the poor quality of life.
"Vandalism started with these Shiite political parties," Hani said. "They are to blame."
In Baghdad, politicians were quick to respond.
The May elections had the lowest voter turnout since 2005, and political parties are deadlocked in trying to form a majority coalition in parliament, in part because major Shiite political factions have not agreed to work. together.
This political battle complicated the situation in Basra. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is fighting to stay in place, replaced the local security commander after an outcry over the death of protesters earlier this week.
Shiite militias belonging to the government-sponsored People's Mobilization Forces declared that they would also send men to quell the violence. The political faction representing these militias hopes to choose the next candidate for the post of prime minister.
In a special parliamentary session held last week, a long line of leaders called for solving Basra's problems, but no one proposed a concrete plan.
The summer temperatures of Basra regularly reach 120 degrees, but the city faces a critical shortage of electricity. And even though the big rivers of the Tigris and Euphrates cross the city center, many people no longer have access to drinking water.
A New York Times employee reported in Basra, Iraq.
