Uprisings in southern Iraq

The protests against unemployment in the southern Iraqi oil city of Basra are expanding into Najaf where protesters attempted to occupy the city's airport.

The protest demonstrations in Iraq are directed against corruption and unemployment and put the demand for improving public services. The protests spread from the oil city of Basra to other places in Iraq - like yesterday to Najaf.

Protests in Basra, Nasiriyah and Amara

Yesterday's occupation attempt of the airport of Najaf led to a cessation of air traffic. Shiite leader Ali al-Sistani said he supported the protesters and also criticized the inadequacy of public services.

Yesterday, violent protests continued in Basra. Especially in the cities of Amara and Nasiriyah demonstrations took place.

Meysan Directorate of Health Press Official Muhammed Kinani stated that one civilian died and 15 others got injured during the demonstrations. On the other hand, local sources report 2 dead and 28 injured.

Abadi supports the demands

Yesterday, Haider al-Abadi traveled to Basra in the face of growing protests, stressing that the people were right in their protests. In a televised speech, he said, "We can only support the demands of our valued citizens whose pain we understand."

Oil production accounts for 89 percent of the Iraqi budget and 99 percent of its exports, but only one percent of the workers work in oil production. In particular, foreign oil companies generally do not hire Iraqis.

According to official figures, the unemployment rate in Iraq is 10.8 percent. Unemployment among the under 24-year-olds, who make up 60 percent of the country's population, is much higher.