Protests in southern Iraq to demand better services, jobs
BAGHDAD — Iraqis demanding better public services and jobs took to the streets for the sixth day on Sunday in the southern oil-rich province of Basra, as authorities put security forces on high alert and blocked the internet in the country’s Shiite heartland.
The protests come at a sensitive time as Iraq awaits the final results of a partial recount of the ballots from May’s national elections before a new government can be formed. The elections, the fourth since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled ruler Saddam Hussein, saw the lowest turnout in 15 years and were marred with allegations of fraud and irregularities.
Thousands of protesters gathered outside the local government building and closed the roads leading to major oil fields north and west of Basra city of, activist Laith Hussein told The Associated Press by phone.
Security forces guarding the local government building opened fire, causing some protesters to disperse, he added.