US calls Iraq to investigate allegations of ‘excessive force’ used against Basra protesters

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The US Consulate General in Basra on Friday expressed “deep concern” about the recent violent protests in the oil-rich city, and called on the Iraqi government to investigate the allegations of excessive force being used against the demonstrators.

“The US Consulate General in Basrah [Basra]‎ expresses its deep concern about the violence in some of the recent demonstrations and deeply regrets the lives lost and injuries sustained by protesters and security forces this summer. We express our solidarity with the citizens of Iraq, our community, during this difficult time,” the statement read.

For the fourth day in a row, hundreds of protesters, angry about the federal government ignoring Basra’s infrastructure and the deaths of demonstrators, poured into the streets on Thursday, setting fire to many political party offices and government buildings.

The protests have been ongoing for weeks as people demand better public services, including clean water, regular electricity, and better employment rate. So far, over 20 people have died while protesting, and hundreds more were injured, according to local human rights groups.

“We support the right of Iraqis to peacefully assemble, to request services from their government, and to express their views. We call on all Iraqis to respect the right of peaceful protest and to respect public and private property,” the US Consulate General in Basra stated.

“We call on the Iraqi government to investigate all allegations of excessive force used against demonstrators.”

The statement also mentioned that the US Consulates in Basra and Erbil and the US Embassy in Baghdad would continue to support the Iraqi people and their government in their efforts “to reform the economy, fight corruption, create jobs, and provide the services that the Iraqi people deserve.”

Oil production in Basra accounts for 95 percent of Iraq’s oil output. The country is the second-largest oil producer in OPEC.

Protesters on Thursday torched a number of offices belonging to Iraqi political parties, as well as government buildings in Basra.

The demonstrations come as Iraqi parliamentary blocs are still in political gridlock as negotiations over the formation of a new government following May 12 national election continue.

Editing by Nadia Riva