Iraqi protesters stand on concrete blast walls during an anti-government protest near the building of the government office in Basra, Iraq September 7, 2018.
Iraq on Friday declared a curfew in the southern city of Basra following mounting tensions, according to the army.
The army’s Basra Operations Command said in a written statement that the curfew was declared due to incidents that occurred in the city.
On Friday, demonstrators set fire to the Iranian Consulate in Basra.
Iranian government, as a response, closed its Shalamchech border gate with Iraq.
The army did not say when the curfew may be lifted.
Since July 9, Iraq’s Shia-majority central and southern provinces -- especially Basra -- have been rocked by protests to demand better public services, more job opportunities and an end to government corruption.
Stone-throwing protesters set fire to the main provincial government building in the oil hub of Basra, Iraq's second largest city on Thursday. The highway from Basra to Baghdad was cut off by demonstrators.
Iraqi protesters torch government building in Basra
Iran closed its border with Iraq on Friday after protesters torched the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Basra.Tehran closed the Salamcheh crossing after an angry mob torched the consulate, according to Iraq’s local media.The attack did not result in any casualties but caused considerable damage to the building.After the incident, Basra Operations Command declared a curfew in Basra.Since July 9, Iraq’s Shia-majority central and southern provinces, especially Basra, have been rocked by protests to demand better public services, more job opportunities and an end to government corruption.Iraq assembly to hold emergency session on Basra unrestEight Iraqis arrested over suspected Daesh links in TurkeyIraqi authorities shut down key port Umm Qasr over Basra protestsThree protesters dead during violent unrest in Iraq's BasraIraqi officials lift planned Basra curfew minutes before it was due to start
Iran closes border crossing with Iraq
At least one person was killed and 10 others wounded Friday when demonstrators in the southern Iraqi city of Basra attempted to enter the office building of a group linked to Hashd al-Shaabi.Hani Abdul Hussein, an eyewitness, told Anadolu Agency that the demonstrators were trying to enter the building of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq -- a militant faction of the Hashd al-Shaabi, a predominantly Shia fighting force.Abdul Hussein said members of Asaib Ahl al-Haq opened fire on the demonstrators.Meanwhile, Hashd al-Shaabi said in a statement that a masked group attacked the building and set it on fire.Earlier Friday, local Iraqi media announced that Tehran had closed the Shalamcheh border crossing in Basra after an angry mob torched the Iranian consulate.Iraq's committee for border crossings, however, refuted it in a statement and said the crossing was operating as usual.Since July 9, Iraq’s Shia-majority central and southern provinces -- especially Basra -- have been rocked by protests to demand better public services, more job opportunities and an end to government corruption.Iraq assembly to hold emergency session on Basra unrestEight Iraqis arrested over suspected Daesh links in Turkey11 demonstrators slain in Iraq's Basra within weekIraqi authorities shut down key port Umm Qasr over Basra protestsThree protesters dead during violent unrest in Iraq's Basra
One dead, 10 injured during protests in Iraq's Basra
The U.S. on Friday condemned violence against diplomats in the Iraqi city of Basra, which has been gripped by protests that have turned deadly in recent days.State Department Spokeswomen Heather Nauert said in a statement that under the Iraqi constitution, the right to peaceful protest and the duty to protect public and private property go hand in hand."The United States condemns violence against diplomats, including that which occurred today" in Basra, said Nauert.The statement comes after an angry mob stormed the Iranian consulate in Basra Friday evening before setting the building alight.Only one day earlier, demonstrators attacked several government buildings in the city, including Basra’s provincial headquarters and the state television broadcast building."We call on all parties, including security forces and protesters, to uphold the right of peaceful protest and to protect diplomats and their facilities," she added.Since July 9, Iraq’s Shia-majority central and southern provinces -- especially Basra -- have been rocked by protests to demand better public services, more job opportunities and an end to government corruption.Iraq assembly to hold emergency session on Basra unrest11 demonstrators slain in Iraq's Basra within weekIraqi authorities shut down key port Umm Qasr over Basra protestsThree protesters dead during violent unrest in Iraq's BasraBaghdad's 'Green Zone' comes under mortar attack
US condemns violence against diplomats in Iraq's Basra