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Protesters stomp a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the takeover and fire of the Iranian consulate in Basra, 550 km southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, September 7, 2018 Hundreds of protesters angry on the streets Thursday night. Some clashed with the security forces, threw Molotov cocktails and set fire to a government building and Shiite militia offices. At least three people were shot dead during clashes with security forces. (AP Photo / Nabil al-Jurani)
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Protesters storm the Basrah government building during a protest demanding public services and jobs in Basra, 550 km southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, September 7, 2018. Angry protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in the south of the country A security official and eyewitnesses said a fire broke out inside the city as part of ongoing protests the last days. (AP Photo / Nabil al-Jurani)
BASRA, Iraq – The latest about the unrest in Iraq (all local times):
17:30.
Iraqi security forces and troops are deployed in the center of Basra and at street intersections, after hundreds of protesters set fire to government buildings and set fire to the Iranian consulate.
Dozens of black vans mounted on rifles belonging to the Interior Ministry and carrying masked security forces in battle dress were seen deployed on Saturday afternoon.
Troops in Humvees were also deployed on street intersections in the city center.
The deployment took place shortly after the alliance of Shiite militias who pledged to respond to the violent protests that rocked the city last week. Health officials say at least 15 people have been killed in clashes for a week.
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4:45 p.m.
The local military commander of an alliance of powerful Shiite militia pledges to respond to week-long demonstrations that have become violent in Basra town in the south of the country.
The commander, known as Abu Yasser al-Jaafar, held a press conference in the city on Saturday. "We will have an answer to those who commit acts of fire and sabotage," he said.
Angry protesters set fire to government buildings and offices belonging to powerful Iran-backed militias during week-long demonstrations, demanding better services and an end to corruption.
Al-Jaafari said the lack of response so far should not be seen as a sign of weakness. He spoke at the presidential palace in the city, where Shia paramilitaries are stationed.
The alliance of government-approved Shiite militias is known as the "People's Mobilization Forces" or "Hashed" in Arabic. Many militias are backed by Iran.
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2:15 p.m.
The attackers fired three Katyusha missiles at the Iraqi airport in Basra on Saturday, an airport official said after a chaotic and violent night that saw hundreds of protesters burning the Iranian consulate in the city.
The city of Basra, home to some of Iraq's largest oil fields, has been the epicenter of angry protests after decades of government neglect, poor services and corruption. The protests are the most serious to shake the oil-rich southern Shia region for years, demanding an end to endemic corruption, soaring unemployment and degrading infrastructure.
This week, they raged on neighboring Iran, accusing its disproportionate influence in Iraqi political affairs of misery and calling for radical change.
