Things seem to be getting out of hand in Basrah, Iraq, which has been seeing a wave of protests. Reports that two protesters have been shot dead will inflame matters more. Solidarity with the brave people of Basrah.
Reports coming in now that 15 protesters were shot, 3 are in critical condition. Seems that protesters have now broken into the Basra governorate offices and set the building on fire.
Footage
It's two days later and things are definitely out of hand in Basra. Protesters are reportedly burning down the headquarters of political parties.
According to this, protesters have burned down the headquarters of Asa'ib Ahl Al Haq, an Iran-backed Shia paramilitary group.
This is approaching a revolution.
They're heading towards the Iranian consulate, after burning down the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia.
Protesters have burned down the headquarters of major Shia political parties. Basra is a majority Shia region of Iraq.
Protesters tried to break into the headquarters of Iran-backed Hezbollah militias, but were repelled by armed guards.
According to this, some of the footage shows that some units of the Iraqi army were on the side of the protesters.
Reminder that a curfew was supposed to be imposed in Basra today. It was cancelled before it came into effect.
If you want to understand the sentiment and the anger, listen to the words of this elderly Iraqi protester from July. "We're not after water or electricity, we want a country". Protests over services are part of a deeper grievance.
(If there's an English language translation of this amazing man's rant, please let me know. So powerful.)
