Protester killed, two Injured in clashes over water disputes in Wasit

WASIT — A protester was killed and two others were injured on Saturday during clashes between Rapid Response forces and local farmers near the Rahma River, which connects Wasit and Diwaniyah governorates.  The confrontations erupted over declining water shares, which farmers in western Wasit’s Basrogiya and neighboring areas attribute to the alleged control of water flows by influential figures in Diwaniyah.

Ali Al-Badri, a protester, described the events to 964media. “Farmers whose lands are on the Rahma River protested today over declining water allocations, which have been dominated by powerful individuals in Diwaniyah,” Al-Badri said.

The protest escalated into clashes with the Rapid Response forces, leading to the use of live ammunition. “This resulted in the death of a member of our tribe and injuries to his brother and another individual,” he added.

The deceased was identified as Saif Hassan Najm Al-Badri, born in 2001. His brother, Mohammed Hassan Al-Badri, born in 1991, sustained injuries. Dozens of tribe members gathered outside the hospital, awaiting the release of Saif’s body.