Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrived in Basra on Monday in hopes of containing a wave of popular protest that has gripped the southern province since early July.
According to a statement released by al-Abadi’s office, the prime minister arrived in Basra early Monday at the head of a large delegation.
A source close to Iraq’s Council of Ministers told Anadolu Agency that, while in Basra, al-Abadi and members of his delegation hoped to oversee the application of several government resolutions aimed at easing the popular unrest.
The Daesh terrorist group on Monday killed four civilian hostages in Iraq’s eastern Diyala province, according to a local police source.“Militants last night abducted four civilians in Diyala’s city of Khanaqin,” Police Captain Habib al-Shimmar, told Anadolu Agency.Monday morning, he said, security forces had discovered the hostages’ decapitated bodies on the city’s outskirts.Recent months have seen repeated attacks by Daesh terrorists on security personnel stationed in northern and eastern Iraq.Last year, officials in Baghdad declared that Daesh's military presence in the country had been all but destroyed following a three-year conflict with the army.Nevertheless, Iraqi security forces continue to carry out sporadic operations aimed at eliminating the group’s lingering presence in certain parts of the country.Iraqi groups demand prime minister's resignationNine PKK terrorists ‘neutralized’ in N. Iraq, SE TurkeyIraqi officials impose Basra curfew amid violent protests12 killed in Iranian attack in northern IraqIran summons Iraqi envoy over consulate torching
Daesh kills four civilians in Iraq’s Diyala
According to the source, al-Abadi is being accompanied on his visit by several top government officials, including the ministers of information, defense, the interior, health and water resources.
Members of the delegation, the same source said, hope to directly oversee the launch of several new projects in Basra aimed at improving public services.
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 of government corruption.
Since the demonstrations erupted more than two months ago, at least 30 protesters have reportedly been killed -- and scores more injured -- in clashes with security forces.
Iraq has summoned the Algerian ambassador over chants in support of former dictator Saddam Hussein by Algerian football fans.On Sunday, Iraq’s Air Force team withdrew mid-match against USM Alger in the return leg of the Arab Champions League in protest of pro-Saddam chants by Algerian fans.The Algerian team was leading 2-0 when the Iraqi team withdrew.In a statement, the ministry condemned the behavior of some Algerian fans during the game, saying the envoy was summoned “to convey Iraq’s rejection ad resentment to the Algerian government”.It called for shying away “from anything that irritates our dear people and beautify the ugly face of the former dictatorial Saddam regime”.Saddam was toppled in the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Iraq summons Algerian envoy over pro-Saddam chants