Iranian Consulate in Basra, Iraq Set on Fire

The Iranian consulate in the city of Basra, Iraq was attacked by government protesters and set on fire on Friday. Protests in the oil-rich city of Basra began on Monday in response to the government's inefficiency in providing public services such as drinking water and electricity. Reports from media outlets, including Arab News, indicate that protesters also attacked government buildings in Basra and the offices of Iranian-affiliated parties. Shortly after reports of the protesters' attack on the Iranian consulate, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident and assured that the consulate staff were unharmed. According to Tasnim News Agency, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated, 'Unfortunately, this news is true, and the brutal attack and burning of the Iranian consulate building caused significant financial damage.' He condemned the attack on the Iranian consulate and added, 'Fortunately, based on prior arrangements and threats made the day before, we have not received any reports of injuries to the staff of this diplomatic site.' Mr. Qasemi further accused the Iraqi government of negligence in protecting the consulate and emphasized that Iran expects Baghdad to 'quickly identify, arrest, and punish the perpetrators and instigators of this serious crime.' RT reported that protesters had been chanting in front of the Iranian consulate for several hours before setting it on fire. A video shared on Facebook shows protesters accusing Iran of cutting off Basra's water supply. Basra is located thirty kilometers from the Iranian border. Protesters also accuse Iran of interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq. RT adds that at least ten people have died in the protests in Basra since Monday. The governor's residence in Basra, offices of Al-Iraqiya TV, Ghadir, Al-Furat, and Radio Nakheel, as well as the headquarters of political parties and groups including the Dawa Party, Badr Organization, Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Kata'ib Hezbollah have also been targeted in these protests. On Wednesday, protesters disrupted operations at Umm Qasr port, Iraq's largest port, which is a major entry point for goods into the country. Meanwhile, several political figures and groups have called for the resignation of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. In this context, at least five people have died in the latest round of protests in Basra.