Protests erupt in Basra’s Al-Qurna as locals demand better services and jobs

BASRA — Protests broke out Monday in Al-Qurna, Basra Governorate, as residents demanded improved services and job opportunities, warning of escalating action if their grievances remain unaddressed. Demonstrators, led by Sheikh Hussein Al-Muzirawi of the Al-Qurna Popular Movement, have given local authorities 14 days to meet their demands, which include expanding hospital facilities, building a power station, and creating employment initiatives.

The Majnoon oil field, located 60 km northwest of Basra in Iraq’s Basra governorate and extending toward the Maysan governorate, is one of the country’s most prominent oil fields. Discovered in 1975, it spans 60 km by 15 km and holds an estimated 13 billion barrels of oil.

“We demand the construction of a 300-bed hospital instead of the 200-bed facility approved by the provincial council, along with immediate efforts to reduce harmful emissions from oil fields and create job opportunities,” Al-Muzirawi told 964 media. “If our demands are ignored, we will move our protests to the Majnoon oil field.”

The unrest in Al-Qurna follows similar protests earlier this year in the nearby Imam Al-Sadiq district, where demonstrators successfully secured government concessions.

On Jan. 7, leaders of the Imam Al-Sadiq Popular Movement announced a temporary suspension of their protests after local authorities agreed to address key grievances, including hiring 1,000 unemployed residents and signing a contract for a new hospital.

Movement leader Haitham Al-Mansouri outlined the progress achieved during the demonstrations. “In the first phase, we secured the rehabilitation of Al-Alam Street, construction of a dam for the Antar River, a power grid maintenance center, and upgrades to the model health center. The local government also approved our project plans for the district.”

The second phase of protests brought additional gains, he said, including a finalized contract for the Al-Sadiq Hospital and a two-stage agreement with the Basra Oil Company to employ 1,000 locals. Other achievements included reopening a clay quarry, allocating 5,000 dunams of land for municipal use, and establishing new police and traffic stations.

“These successes are thanks to your efforts,” Al-Mansouri told supporters. “We’re pausing protests for now, but we will return with full force if promises are not kept.”

Basra serves as the country’s economic and industrial hub, producing about 70% of Iraq’s crude oil and contributing significantly to the national economy.
Despite this wealth, Basra’s residents face challenges such as inadequate public services, including limited access to clean water and electricity, poor infrastructure, and an underfunded health sector. Additionally, the city struggles with high unemployment rates, with some estimates indicating that unemployment affects 20 to 25 percent of the population and almost 30 percent of youth.