Fifth Day of Protests in Iraq; Protesters Enter Najaf Airport

Reports indicate that on the fifth day of protests by Iraqi citizens against corruption, unemployment, and shortages of urban services such as water and electricity, hundreds of demonstrators entered Najaf Airport on Friday, July 22. According to Reuters, two security officials at Najaf Airport confirmed that hundreds of protesters have entered the main terminal. Eyewitnesses also reported that security forces did not resist the protesters' entry into the airport. Reports indicate that all incoming and outgoing flights to Najaf have been canceled. Reuters states that Ayatollah Ali Sistani, a Shiite religious authority in Najaf, expressed solidarity with the protesters, stating that people are facing "severe shortages of public services" such as electricity in the extreme summer heat. Local media reports also indicate that police across Najaf province have declared a curfew. On Friday, in Basra, people took to the streets and blocked the road to the Umm Qasr port. According to the report, protests against corruption and shortages of public services have also been held in the southern and eastern cities of Nasiriyah and Amarah. In Amarah, near the border with Iran, protesters entered the governor's office. Police officials in Amarah reported that protesters attacked the office of the Al-Dawa Party, which is supported by Iran. Reports indicate that Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, cut short his trip to Brussels and went to Basra to negotiate with the protesters. Meanwhile, a protest was held outside the hotel where Haider al-Abadi was meeting with local tribal leaders in Basra, but it is said that Mr. Abadi left the venue before the protesters gathered outside the hotel. Reuters states that Basra is one of the few cities in the Middle East that lacks an effective drinking water purification system, and many of its urban water supply pipes are broken and disconnected. Government officials say that the lack of public budget and the drop in global oil prices have caused the urban water supply projects in Basra to face difficulties. Protests in Basra against unemployment and drinking water shortages began on Sunday and have continued every day since. It is reported that one person was killed during the protests on Sunday.