Iraqi security forces are in Basra
A series of violent protests in the city of Basra has caused a political crisis in Iraq as well as has started influecning the diplomatic situation over the war-torn country.
Last week, Basra protesters flooded the streets, clashing with security forces and torching the provincial headquarters, the Iranian consulate and offices of Iranian-backed Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba. Protesters also attempted to attack the US consulate but Iraqi security troops prevented this.
The protests left 12 demonstrators killed. Furthermore, on September 8, several rockets were fired at the Basra airport.
On September 12, the White House issued a statement claiming that Iran will be be held accountable for any possible harm to the US citizens stationed there.
“Over the past few days, we have seen life-threatening attacks in Iraq, including on the United States consulate in Basra and against the American embassy compound in Baghdad,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated on September 12. “Iran did not act to stop these attacks by its proxies in Iraq, which it has supported with funding, training, and weapons.”
“The United States will hold the regime in Tehran accountable for any attack that results in injury to our personnel or damage to United States government facilities. America will respond swiftly and decisively in defense of American lives.”
Protests in Basra started over the lack of jobs, electricity and safe drinking water, with hundreds taken to hospital after drinking contaminated water. However, then, the protests slowly shifted from the social economic demands to political and even partly sectarian issues. This situation is common for cases of the soft power usage in order to create protest crises in order to shape the political situation in the targeted country.
Meanwhile, it can be observed as two blocs are being formed by political and military political groups in Iraq: an Iranian-Iraqi bloc and an anti-Iranian front. If this anti-Iranian front is fully formed, it will be likely supported by the Gulf Monarhies. It’s also highly likely that the US and its allies will make an attempt to use this situation in order to achieve own goals.
In the current regional political situation, the ongoing developments in Basra go in favour for the US, which is now able to use this situation to fuel further its anti-Iranian campaign in the Middle East. This is an open secret for Iran and its allies. Thus, Teheran will likely contribute additional effrots in order to promote a settlement of the Basra crisis by political, and if this is needed by miltiary, measures.
The situation in Basra itself remains tense turning it into the area, which can be turned into a new hot point in the Middle East.
I don’t believe Iran is behind any of this. Iran stands to gain nothing whatsoever from any of this, directly or indirectly.
Iran stands to gain much. Here’s a great breakdown for you that makes a little more sense than the article here on SF.
https://ejmagnier.com/2018/09/10/haidar-abadi-has-fallen-with-the-burned-walls-of-the-iranian-consulate-in-basra/
Good article. Interesting take worth some thought.
Yes, he’s good. Has an inside scoop in the theatre/region. Has good sources. Bookmark his site, he writes regularly.
Read the article, no where does it say what Iran would gain. It’s just very poor propaganda.
‘ You can lead a horse to water, but you cant make him drink ‘ , there’s really nothing else to it.
Its obvious Iran has consolidated its positions in Iraq and Syria and Lebanon. The Iraqi Hashd Al-Shaabi ( Popular Mobilization Units) answer directly to IRGC Quds Force Commander Gen. Solemenei, who answers directly to Mr. Khamenei. Sorry to break it to you.
Do you really think Iran would bother, if the US/Israel had not taken over Iraq and Lebanon, and is trying to take over Syria?. If the US/Israel succeeds, all Arabs, Sunni and Shia will only be allowed to remain, if they submit to being slaves of Israel. I find it really difficult to understand how Arabs can support those who wish to enslave them(Israel). If you really wish to be a second class citizen in your own land, move to Palestine and get a taste of slavery.
Its no secret that Arab leaders are subservient to the U.S./ Israel, so they can remain in power. But make no mistake, the Arab peoples are not.
Arabs will never be slaves to no one, they are resisting, on multiple fronts. And Iran is helping Arabs do just that, shake off the U.S., Israeli’s, British and French. They are in the process of getting evicted/expelled from the MENA region, thanks to Iran not surrendering, and Arab resistance, as we saw in Iraq, we see in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria.
Russia and China are willing to fill the void left behind by the nefarious U.S., British and French, and they are very sincere and good peoples. Wise and just, and they will help the Arab world get back on its feet. As far as Israel goes, as Mr. Khamenei said, the apartheid state will not survive another 25 years, and he said this 4 years ago, so do the math. He is a man of his word. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has recently said that the U.S. empire will die in Syria and Iraq soon.
Iran is at the forefront of the Axis of Resistance.
Arabs are fighting and dying for America in Syria today, your statement that Iran, a country that has not invaded an Arab country, but is fighting to save Syria, displays your fealty to your Israeli and American masters.
Why Iraqis feel jealous from Iran.
Exactly just more pot stirring by the British, Saudis and Israel.
People should not forget that it was cowardly US warmongers and 50 NATO and assorted puppet nations invaded Iraq on totally fabricated WMD claims, killed millions and then looted Iraqi oil by installing the most corrupt Abadi puppet regime. US is now using plundered Iraqi OIL money to fund Wahhabi headchopper terrorists to destabilize Iraq, Syria and commit the holocaust of Yemen. Iran like Russia is fighting terrorism and stabilizing the region.
Maintenance of water facilities takes organized people. Perhaps the Germans could be brought in to do it for them.
Doubt Germans want to die instead of Americans who made the mess.
It probably was built by a German contractor hired by Saddam. I think everything was built by foreign contractors during Saddam’s rule since Iraq had very few construction companies who in turn hired Palestinians workers since the Iraqi’s considered it demeaning to do dirty physical labor.
East Germans built a lot of infrastructure in Iraq. From bunkers to electric grids and highways. The labor was mixed, Palestinian, Iraqi, and others. During Saddam’s period, the emphasis was on either the military or education, hence Iraq has the most educated peoples of the whole MENA region.
The famous U.S. Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright designed urban Baghdad. Well aside from the old city that is. Agatha Christie lived in Iraq for many years and got her inspiration for her books there. Her favorite pastime was strolling the old city center, animal (exotic) market and famous book market.
US losers are desperate to keep their corrupt puppet Abadi in power by destabilizing Iraq and sponsoring Wahhabi terror.
They attacked shia mitia offices but iran are behind it? Holy crap lmao