Basra district shuts down as residents commute to Imam Ali shrine

BASRA, September 7 — Shops closed their doors, and the main Al-Ashar market in central Basra appeared empty on Wednesday as the city streets were quiet except for the movement of vehicles transporting visitors to and from the Imam Ali Shrine in Al-Zubair district to the west.

Residents reported a severe shortage of taxis, and “all buses” were in Karbala.

Hussein Ali, a driver on the Al-Zubair route, spoke to 964: “This is our busiest day as we transport visitors from dawn until night to and from the Imam Ali Shrine. Transportation is faster because the streets are free from normal traffic and congestion. Transport fares remain the same, with a charge of 1,000 dinars per person to and from Al-Zubair.”

Haider Yassin, a resident of Karama Ali, expressed: “The local government should have provided government transport vehicles. There are no vehicles available in the garages outside the city center, such as the Karama Ali area. Commuting within the city is challenging as most public transport drivers have gone to Karbala. Even taxis are scarce today, and they demand higher fares.”