The upheaval comes at a critical time for the Iraqi government, which has been paralysed since inconclusive and tainted elections in May. The ballots are now being recounted after allegations of fraud, and though the overall results aren't expected to change much, the recount has delayed the seating of a new parliament and the formation of a new government. Iraqi protesters chant slogans demanding services and jobs during a demonstration in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, on Saturday, July 14. This is not the first time that demonstrations, triggered at least initially by the lack of electricity during the hot summer months, have destabilised southern Iraq. Persistent power shortages since the US-led invasion leave people sweltering without fans or air conditioners. This year conditions have been worsened by a severe drought, which has reduced the availability of water, and a decision by Iran to cut off the electricity it exports to Iraq because of a dispute over payments, further reducing the supply. But these demonstrations seem more widespread and by Friday had taken on a decidedly political and anti-Iranian flavour. The protesters are turning much of their wrath against the Shiite parties that have dominated Iraqi politics since the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003, as well as against Iran, which is closely allied to the Shiite political establishment.

Iraqis say they blame the government, including Abadi and many other Shiite politicians, for the failure to provide jobs, infrastructure and improve the economy. Allegations of corruption at all levels of government are widespread, and the close relationship of many of the Shiite elites with Iran has deepened the resentment. "We've had enough of these parties who put Iranian interests ahead of us and treat the people like wood to burn when they need money," said Abdulrahman Mohammed, 36, who has been participating in the protests in Basra. Iraqi security forces close Tahrir Square while protesters gather demanding services and jobs in central Baghdad, on Saturday, July 14. "What's happening now is an explosion after years of pressure. We want our rights and we have nothing to lose because they took everything." In a video showing the attack on the Dawa Party headquarters in Najaf, a protester is heard referring scornfully to the party that has dominated Iraqi politics since 2006 as "the Iranian Dawa Party". In another video, demonstrators can be heard chanting "burn the Iranian parties".

"We want to end these corrupt political parties just like we ended Saddam," said Haidar al-Taie, 24, a medical student in Najaf who was one of those who burned the Dawa office. "This party has been sucking our blood since 2003, and look at them now: They are the richest people." The protests began last Sunday in Basra, the oil-rich province that is also home to some of the worst poverty in the country. During the week, two people were shot dead by security forces attempting to contain the unrest as protesters targeted oil facilities and sought to shut down the port of Umm Qasr. Friday's upheaval appeared to have been fuelled at least in part by comments from Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader for the vast majority of Iraqi Shiites, indicating that he sympathised with the protesters grievances. "It is not fair and it is never acceptable that this generous province is one of the most miserable areas in Iraq," said a statement issued on his behalf, referring to Basra. Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, carry his image as they celebrate in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, in May. Poll results are being recounted but a different conclusion is deemed unlikely.

According to preliminary election results, the party loyal to the populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr won the most seats in the May election, and he has been in discussion with the other major Shiite parties to form a coalition government. All of those parties appeared to have had their offices targeted in the protests, apart from Sadr's, which has taken a stance against Iranian influence in Iraq. Sadr indicated in a tweet on Friday that he also shared the protesters' concerns, calling their demonstrations "a revolution of the starving". Although some politicians have alleged that he is fomenting the unrest, protesters reached by telephone deny that their actions are being driven by any political party. "This is a revolution of the people," said Taie, the protester in Najaf. "We will not allow any political parties to get involved because we are protesting against them."</s>BASRA, July 16 — Two demonstrators were killed and dozens wounded in southern Iraq yesterday as protests over unemployment and a lack of basic services entered a second week, a medical source said.

The protesters were killed in a shooting in the city of Samawah, south of the capital Baghdad, the source told AFP.

A further 27 people were injured in the incident in front of the governor’s headquarters, the source said without detailing who opened fire.

In Baghdad hundreds of protesters closed a highway at the entrance to the city’s northwestern Shula neighbourhood, chanting “Iran, out out! Baghdad is free!” and “The people want to overthrow the regime”.

Demonstrations hit several provinces including Basra, despite Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announcing fresh funds and pledges of investment for the oil-rich but neglected region.

Renewed clashes between security forces and protesters in Basra city left 50 people injured near the governor’s headquarters, the majority protesters, a separate medical source said.

The internet was out of service across the country yesterday for the second consecutive day.

Earlier yesterday demonstrators tried to storm the Basra governor’s headquarters but were dispersed by police who fired tear gas at them, an AFP reporter said.

Police also fired tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators who tried to push their way into the Zubeir oil field south of the city, an AFP reporter said.

In Nasiriyah, provincial capital of neighbouring Dhi Qar province, 15 demonstrators and 25 policemen were injured, deputy health director Abdel Hussein al-Jabri said.

The clashes, including hand-to-hand combat, erupted when the demonstrators gathered outside the governor’s office and pelted security forces with stones.

In Muthana province bordering Basra, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the governor’s headquarters and some torched parts of the building, a police source said.

Protesters in Muthana also set fire to the offices of the Iranian-backed Badr organisation in the province’s largest city of Samawa.

On Saturday, protesters had set alight Badr’s headquarters in Basra, prompting authorities to impose an overnight curfew across the province.

As the protests continued Abadi met with security and intelligence chiefs in the capital Baghdad yesterday, warning them to be on alert “because terrorists want to exploit any event or dispute”.

“Iraqis do not accept chaos, assaults on the security forces, state and private property, and those who do this are vandals who exploit the demands of citizens to cause harm,” he said.

The prime minister also ordered security services not to use live fire against the unarmed protesters.

The unrest erupted on July 8 when security forces opened fire, killing one person, as youths demonstrated in Basra demanding jobs and accusing the government of failing to provide basic services including electricity.

Two protesters died from gunshot wounds following rallies overnight Friday, although it was not clear who killed them.

At least 30 people were wounded on Saturday night in the central holy city of Karbala, where an AFP reporter said police fired into the air as demonstrators threw stones at them.

The demonstrations have also led to international flights to the shrine city of Najaf being cancelled, as the airport was closed after dozens of protesters forced their way into the waiting room Friday despite a heavy police presence.

Foreign airlines including Oman Air, flydubai and Royal Jordanian have all announced the suspension of flights.

The government’s media office said Abadi has ordered the airport to reopen, without giving further details.

Protests continued yesterday morning in Najaf city, where an AFP correspondent said security forces dispersed a large demonstration.

A sizeable contingent from Saraya al-Salam, a paramilitary force loyal to prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr who won May elections, also deployed in the streets of Najaf.

The protests — which have spread north to Baghdad — come as Iraq struggles to rebuild after three-year war against Islamic State group jihadists, which has ravaged their country’s infrastructure.

On Saturday evening, Abadi announced investment worth $3 billion (2.6 billion euros) for Basra province, as well as pledging additional spending on housing, schools and services.

“When the state responds to citizens’ demands it is a strength, not a weakness,” Abadi said during yesterday’s meeting with top officials.

The country has been rocked by a series of conflicts since the 1980s and says it needs $88 billion to rebuild after the war on IS jihadists.

Officially, 10.8 per cent of Iraqis are jobless, while youth unemployment is twice as high, in a country where 60 per cent of the population is aged under 24.

The oil sector accounts for 89 per cent of the state budget and 99 per cent of Iraq’s export revenues, but only one per cent of jobs, as the majority of posts are filled by foreigners. — AFP</s>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.

Elsewhere in Basra, protesters forced authorities to close the vital Um Qasr port on the Persian Gulf, planning to march to the border crossings with Kuwait and Iran, he added.

The two main border crossings - Safwan with Kuwait and Shalamcheh with Iran - have been closed to both passengers and goods, a senior official with the Border Crossings Directorate told the AP. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

He could not confirm if there were fatalities from either incident. Health and police officials were not immediately available to comment.

Around noon on Sunday, Basra anti-riot police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters, said Sadiq Saleh, one of the demonstrators.

"I will not leave my place here until I get all my rights," said the 35-year-old who has been out of work for the past three years. "The government lies to us, they always give us such promises and we get nothing."

There were also similar protests on Saturday in Baghdad. Hundreds poured into Baghdad's Tahrir Square and the eastern Shiite district of Sadr City. Some protesters set tires on fire and tried to break into the Badr Organization's office in Sadr City, prompting guards to open fire. No casualties were reported.

Citing security concerns, Kuwait Airways, the Royal Jordanian and Iran's Aviation Authority suspended their flights to Iraq's second busiest airport in Najaf. Flights to other Iraqi airports have not been affected. The United Arab Emirates' FlyDubai cancelled Saturday's flights to Najaf, saying it will suspend them until July 22.

In a bid to contain the protests, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi convened a six-minister committee headed by the oil minister, Jabar Ali al-Luaibi. The committee promised jobs for those living in the areas around the oil fields and announced allocations for urgent projects, mainly for water provision.

On Friday, al-Abadi flew to Basra from the NATO summit in Brussels to try to defuse the unrest. He also asked the state-run Basra Oil Company to provide more jobs to locals and announced urgent allocations.

But that didn't appear to assuage the protesters.

"These announcements are just anesthetization to the residents of Basra," Hussein, the activist, said. "Every year, they make the same promises, and nothing happens on the ground."

The only solution is "to replace the current faces that represent the parties that failed to develop Basra by new faces from new political parties from Basra itself," he added.

Like other locals, Hussein demanded that Baghdad empower the new, local Basra government.

The demonstrations were given a boost after a representative of the Shiite community's spiritual leader, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, offered his solidarity with the protesters during Friday's prayer sermon, but called for peaceful demonstrations.

Basra is Iraq's second-largest province and home to about 70 percent of the country's proven oil reserves of 153.1 billion barrels. It is located on the Persian Gulf bordering Kuwait and Iran, and is Iraq's only hub these days for all oil exports to the international market.

Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo, David Rising in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran contributed to this report.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>BAGHDAD (AP) — 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 awaitis 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.

Elsewhere in Basra, protesters forced authorities to close the vital Um Qasr port on the Persian Gulf, planning to march to the border crossings with Kuwait and Iran, he added.

The two main border crossings — Safwan with Kuwait and Shalamcheh with Iran — have been closed to both passengers and goods, a senior official with the Border Crossings Directorate told the AP. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

He could not confirm if there were fatalities from either incident. Health and police officials were not immediately available to comment.

Around noon on Sunday, Basra anti-riot police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters, said Sadiq Saleh, one of the demonstrators.

"I will not leave my place here until I get all my rights," said the 35-year-old who has been out of work for the past three years. "The government lies to us, they always give us such promises and we get nothing."

There were also similar protests on Saturday in Baghdad. Hundreds poured into Baghdad's Tahrir Square and the eastern Shiite district of Sadr City. Some protesters set tires on fire and tried to break into the Badr Organization's office in Sadr City, prompting guards to open fire. No casualties were reported.

Citing security concerns, Kuwait Airways, the Royal Jordanian and Iran's Aviation Authority suspended their flights to Iraq's second busiest airport in Najaf. Flights to other Iraqi airports have not been affected. The United Arab Emirates' FlyDubai cancelled Saturday's flights to Najaf, saying it will suspend them until July 22.

In a bid to contain the protests, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi convened a six-minister committee headed by the oil minister, Jabar Ali al-Luaibi. The committee promised jobs for those living in the areas around the oil fields and announced allocations for urgent projects, mainly for water provision.

On Friday, al-Abadi flew to Basra from the NATO summit in Brussels to try to diffuse the unrest. He also asked the state-run Basra Oil Company to provide more jobs to locals and announced urgent allocations.

But that didn't appear to assuage the protesters.

"These announcements are just anesthetization to the residents of Basra," Hussein, the activist, said. "Every year, they make the same promises, and nothing happens on the ground."

The only solution is "to replace the current faces that represent the parties that failed to develop Basra by new faces from new political parties from Basra itself," he added.

Like other locals, Hussein demanded that Baghdad empower the new, local Basra government.

The demonstrations were given a boost after a representative of the Shiite community's spiritual leader, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, offered his solidarity with the protesters during Friday's prayer sermon, but called for peaceful demonstrations.

Basra is Iraq's second-largest province and home to about 70 percent of the country's proven oil reserves of 153.1 billion barrels. It is located on the Persian Gulf bordering Kuwait and Iran, and is Iraq's only hub these days for all oil exports to the international market.

Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo, Karin Laub in Amman, Jordan, David Rising in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran contributed to this report.</s>Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met with officials in Basra to discuss the growing demonstrations that began in Basra province this week, and promised to fulfill the protesters’ wishes for better services and jobs.

To underscore the significance of the oil and service protests, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani came out in support of the demonstrators, but rejected the violence. Also, the Turkmen Front called on the government to listen to protesters and ensure services in Kirkuk province.

The demonstrations expanded into several provinces, including Babil, Dhi Qar, Karbala, Maysan, Muthanna, and Najaf. Residents of Baghdad also staged a rally.

In Maysan province, just north of Basra, where two people were killed, and 18 more were wounded; a Dawa party office was set ablaze.

Several demonstrators were injured as they stormed the airport in Najaf.

More injuries were reported during protests near the governor’s home in Nasariya; at least 36 security personnel were wounded.

In Basra, at least one protester was killed.

Violence unrelated to the protests also occurred:

Four militants were killed in Naft Khana.

Overall, at least seven people were killed and 57 were injured across Iraq. The number of injuries from the protests is expected to be higher.
• Large ISIS Convoy Crosses over from Syria; 27 Killed in Iraq – July 11th, 2018</s>I wrote here about an emerging strategy to undermine the Iranian regime. A key element is making the regime pay for its regional adventurism, which has become quite unpopular with the Iranian population.

This can be accomplished this by making Iran’s adventurism increasingly costly and humiliating the regime by thwarting its ambitions. As Jonathan Speyer explained it:

A strategy seeking to contain further Iranian gains and then to roll Iran back is likely to focus on increasing the cost of Iran’s adventures abroad and exacerbate internal tensions while subjecting the country to tactical humiliations and defeats in order to reduce any domestic benefit to be accrued from regional commitments. Tehran will thus be forced to either spend more on its commitments, exacerbating the problems at home, or pull back, with the accompanying humiliation and loss of prestige.

The strategy extends to countries throughout the region. Though the stakes seem highest in Syria right now, Speyer views Iraq as key. So, apparently, does Saudi Arabia, the arch-enemy of Iran. It has pledged $1 billion in loans and $500,000 in export credits to Iraq for reconstruction following the war against Islamic State.

In my post on the subject, I expressed doubt about the extent to which we can curb Iranian influence in Iraq. But news from Iraq last week suggests that Iraqis themselves want to curb it.

In the south of Iraq, violent protests broke out, causing the government to declare a state of emergency.

 The protests, led by local tribal leaders, began in Basra and then spread to five other southern provinces: Najaf, Karbala, Maysan, Babil, and Dhi Qar. Demonstrators demanded jobs and radically improved public services (keep in mind that this is an oil rich region).

They also denounced Iran’s influence in their region. In Nasriyya protesters chanted “Iran Iran we don’t want you anymore.” In Najaf demonstrators arrested Iranian infiltrators chanting “those are Iranian pimps, those are Iranian mercenaries, those are the group of Khamenei, those are the damned Iranians.”

Najah, Nasriyya, and the region as a whole are Shia strongholds. Thus, Iran is being denounced by at least portions of the population with which it has (or had) a natural affinity.

Nor is denunciation all. Demonstrators raided and destroyed Iranian backed Islamic party offices and buildings in cities throughout Southern Iraq. In Najaf they attacked the local headquarters of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s Dawa Party and set it on fire. One arsonist referred to that Party as “the Iranian Dawa Party.” Demonstrators could be heard chanting “burn the Iranian parties.”

Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader for the vast majority of Iraqi Shiites, has expressed his sympathy with the protesters grievances. Indeed, his comments may have fueled some of the protests.

Populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose party won the most seats in Iraq’s May election, also said in a tweet that he shares the protesters concerns. He called their demonstrations “a revolution of the starving.”

Sadr once was closely aligned with Iran. Indeed, he was viewed as Tehran’s puppet. However, Sadr has shed that image to the point that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman hosted him in Riyadh last year. With the way the wind is blowing now, Sadr can be expected to continue distancing himself from the Iranian regime.

To resist that wind, Iran will need to spend time, money, and energy — and do so at a time when the nullahs face mounting protests at home over economic conditions and the high priority they place on exerting influence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, etc. But to yield to the wind would be a humiliation and a sign of weakness.

It’s a tough time for the Iranian regime. And to make matters worse, it can no longer turn to Barack Obama for relief.</s>The job and services protest entered its second week on Sunday. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi threatened to have saboteurs among the demonstrators shot, as he deployed more forces to the southern provinces.

Overall, at least 14 people were killed and 366 were injured across Iraq:

Security forces clashed with protesters attempting to storm a courthouse in Samawa, where they killed three. At least 165 were injured, 90 of them security personnel.

In Basra, a clash erupted between security forces and civilians who were trying to enter a government building while demonstrating at a nearby oil field. Four deaths was reported. The fighting also wounded 48 civilians and 28 security members.

Fifteen demonstrators and 25 policemen were injured in clashes in Nasariya. Another 35 people were wounded there or elsewhere in Dhi Qar province.

A clash in a town near Amara left 13 protesters and seven policemen with injuries.

Flights to Najaf are limited after the airport was compromised on Saturday. Flydubai halted its flights, while planes originating in Iran will now fly to Baghdad instead. Oman Air and Royal Jordanian also canceled flights. Schedules involving flights from the UAE and Kuwait were altered as well.

A governor’s headquarters and a Badr Organization office were set on fire in Muthanna.

A blast in Taji left one dead and one wounded.

Turkish airstrikes left six militants dead in Gara and Zab.
• Two Killed, 33 Injured in Continuing Protests in Southern Iraq – July 14th, 2018
• Large ISIS Convoy Crosses over from Syria; 27 Killed in Iraq – July 11th, 2018</s>The upheaval comes at a critical time for the Iraqi government, which has been paralysed since inconclusive and tainted elections in May. The ballots are now being recounted after allegations of fraud, and though the overall results aren't expected to change much, the recount has delayed the seating of a new parliament and the formation of a new government. Iraqi protesters chant slogans demanding services and jobs during a demonstration in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, on Saturday, July 14. This is not the first time that demonstrations, triggered at least initially by the lack of electricity during the hot summer months, have destabilised southern Iraq. Persistent power shortages since the US-led invasion leave people sweltering without fans or air conditioners. This year conditions have been worsened by a severe drought, which has reduced the availability of water, and a decision by Iran to cut off the electricity it exports to Iraq because of a dispute over payments, further reducing the supply. But these demonstrations seem more widespread and by Friday had taken on a decidedly political and anti-Iranian flavour. The protesters are turning much of their wrath against the Shiite parties that have dominated Iraqi politics since the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003, as well as against Iran, which is closely allied to the Shiite political establishment.

Iraqis say they blame the government, including Abadi and many other Shiite politicians, for the failure to provide jobs, infrastructure and improve the economy. Allegations of corruption at all levels of government are widespread, and the close relationship of many of the Shiite elites with Iran has deepened the resentment. "We've had enough of these parties who put Iranian interests ahead of us and treat the people like wood to burn when they need money," said Abdulrahman Mohammed, 36, who has been participating in the protests in Basra. Iraqi security forces close Tahrir Square while protesters gather demanding services and jobs in central Baghdad, on Saturday, July 14. "What's happening now is an explosion after years of pressure. We want our rights and we have nothing to lose because they took everything." In a video showing the attack on the Dawa Party headquarters in Najaf, a protester is heard referring scornfully to the party that has dominated Iraqi politics since 2006 as "the Iranian Dawa Party". In another video, demonstrators can be heard chanting "burn the Iranian parties".

"We want to end these corrupt political parties just like we ended Saddam," said Haidar al-Taie, 24, a medical student in Najaf who was one of those who burned the Dawa office. "This party has been sucking our blood since 2003, and look at them now: They are the richest people." The protests began last Sunday in Basra, the oil-rich province that is also home to some of the worst poverty in the country. During the week, two people were shot dead by security forces attempting to contain the unrest as protesters targeted oil facilities and sought to shut down the port of Umm Qasr. Friday's upheaval appeared to have been fuelled at least in part by comments from Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader for the vast majority of Iraqi Shiites, indicating that he sympathised with the protesters grievances. "It is not fair and it is never acceptable that this generous province is one of the most miserable areas in Iraq," said a statement issued on his behalf, referring to Basra. Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, carry his image as they celebrate in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, in May. Poll results are being recounted but a different conclusion is deemed unlikely.

According to preliminary election results, the party loyal to the populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr won the most seats in the May election, and he has been in discussion with the other major Shiite parties to form a coalition government. All of those parties appeared to have had their offices targeted in the protests, apart from Sadr's, which has taken a stance against Iranian influence in Iraq. Sadr indicated in a tweet on Friday that he also shared the protesters' concerns, calling their demonstrations "a revolution of the starving". Although some politicians have alleged that he is fomenting the unrest, protesters reached by telephone deny that their actions are being driven by any political party. "This is a revolution of the people," said Taie, the protester in Najaf. "We will not allow any political parties to get involved because we are protesting against them."</s>The upheaval comes at a critical time for the Iraqi government, which has been paralysed since inconclusive and tainted elections in May. The ballots are now being recounted after allegations of fraud, and though the overall results aren't expected to change much, the recount has delayed the seating of a new parliament and the formation of a new government. Iraqi protesters chant slogans demanding services and jobs during a demonstration in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, on Saturday, July 14. This is not the first time that demonstrations, triggered at least initially by the lack of electricity during the hot summer months, have destabilised southern Iraq. Persistent power shortages since the US-led invasion leave people sweltering without fans or air conditioners. This year conditions have been worsened by a severe drought, which has reduced the availability of water, and a decision by Iran to cut off the electricity it exports to Iraq because of a dispute over payments, further reducing the supply. But these demonstrations seem more widespread and by Friday had taken on a decidedly political and anti-Iranian flavour. The protesters are turning much of their wrath against the Shiite parties that have dominated Iraqi politics since the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003, as well as against Iran, which is closely allied to the Shiite political establishment.

Iraqis say they blame the government, including Abadi and many other Shiite politicians, for the failure to provide jobs, infrastructure and improve the economy. Allegations of corruption at all levels of government are widespread, and the close relationship of many of the Shiite elites with Iran has deepened the resentment. "We've had enough of these parties who put Iranian interests ahead of us and treat the people like wood to burn when they need money," said Abdulrahman Mohammed, 36, who has been participating in the protests in Basra. Iraqi security forces close Tahrir Square while protesters gather demanding services and jobs in central Baghdad, on Saturday, July 14. "What's happening now is an explosion after years of pressure. We want our rights and we have nothing to lose because they took everything." In a video showing the attack on the Dawa Party headquarters in Najaf, a protester is heard referring scornfully to the party that has dominated Iraqi politics since 2006 as "the Iranian Dawa Party". In another video, demonstrators can be heard chanting "burn the Iranian parties".

"We want to end these corrupt political parties just like we ended Saddam," said Haidar al-Taie, 24, a medical student in Najaf who was one of those who burned the Dawa office. "This party has been sucking our blood since 2003, and look at them now: They are the richest people." The protests began last Sunday in Basra, the oil-rich province that is also home to some of the worst poverty in the country. During the week, two people were shot dead by security forces attempting to contain the unrest as protesters targeted oil facilities and sought to shut down the port of Umm Qasr. Friday's upheaval appeared to have been fuelled at least in part by comments from Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader for the vast majority of Iraqi Shiites, indicating that he sympathised with the protesters grievances. "It is not fair and it is never acceptable that this generous province is one of the most miserable areas in Iraq," said a statement issued on his behalf, referring to Basra. Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, carry his image as they celebrate in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, in May. Poll results are being recounted but a different conclusion is deemed unlikely.

According to preliminary election results, the party loyal to the populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr won the most seats in the May election, and he has been in discussion with the other major Shiite parties to form a coalition government. All of those parties appeared to have had their offices targeted in the protests, apart from Sadr's, which has taken a stance against Iranian influence in Iraq. Sadr indicated in a tweet on Friday that he also shared the protesters' concerns, calling their demonstrations "a revolution of the starving". Although some politicians have alleged that he is fomenting the unrest, protesters reached by telephone deny that their actions are being driven by any political party. "This is a revolution of the people," said Taie, the protester in Najaf. "We will not allow any political parties to get involved because we are protesting against them."</s>(Reuters) - Flights from Iran to the Iraqi city of Najaf will be diverted to Baghdad, Iran’s state television reported on Sunday.

Hundreds of Iraqis stormed the airport and halted air traffic in the Shi’ite holy city of Najaf on Friday, extending several days of protests.

“Due to problems at Najaf airport ... Iranian planes will take their passengers to Baghdad airport,” Reza Jafarzadeh, spokesman for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, was cited as saying.

He did not say how many flights were affected.
Flights from Iran to Najaf, Iraq, are diverted to Baghdad due to anti-government protests.