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BAGHDAD – Angry protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Basra, burning down protesters in recent days, according to a security official and eyewitnesses.
At least 10 protesters have died in clashes with security forces since Monday, three of whom were shot dead Thursday night as protesters threw Molotov cocktails and set fire to a government building and Shiite militia offices in the city.
Residents of Basra and other cities in central Iraq's oil-rich Shiite country have been demonstrating since July against endemic corruption, rising unemployment and poor public services. Clashes erupted earlier this week, killing several civilians and police. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered an investigation into the violence.
The violence prompted the head of the Iraqi parliament to convene an emergency meeting on Saturday.
The protesters shouted anti-Iranian slogans outside the Iranian consulate on Friday night, including "Iran, outside!" Before they took it out of hand. assault and set fire to the interior. You could see smoke rising from the building. The demonstrators also burned an Iranian flag.
Many residents of the predominantly Shiite city accuse Iran-backed political parties of interfering in Iraqi politics, and some see them as responsible for mismanagement and poor services in the city.
This week, the newly elected Iraqi Parliament held its first session since the May national elections. The meeting was adjourned due to disagreements, with two blocks claiming the largest number of seats competing for the right to form a new government.
The new parliament is facing the challenge of rebuilding the country's north after the war against the Islamic State group and the rehabilitation of services in the south of the country, where severe shortages of water and electricity have fueled events.
