BRUTAL CLASHES SPREAD TO BASRA IN SOUTHERN IRAQ, KILLING FOUR PEOPLE

  • 01/09/2022

Local security officials reported that four people were killed in clashes between rival Shi'ite Muslim terrorists that occurred overnight and on Thursday morning in Basra, a city in southern Iraq.

It was the most recent act of violence in a political crisis that pits Moqtada al-supporters Sadr's against mainly Iranian-aligned parties and paramilitary organizations.

The clashes, according to the security officials, took place in Basra, the country of Iraq's main oil producer. According to them, two of those killed were militiamen from Sadr's Peace Brigades. 

The fiercest street battles Baghdad has seen in years took place this week as armed supporters of Sadr squared off against security forces and gunmen with ties to Iran.

Iraq has been without a government since an election in October due to an impasse between the two opposing Shi'ite camps. Additionally, as Iraqis struggle to move past decades of war, sanctions, civil unrest, and endemic corruption, it has exacerbated dysfunction and instability.

Related News