Three protesters injured during clashes at West Qurna 2 oil field entrance

BASRA — Three protesters were injured Friday in Al-Thagher, a northern town in Basra Governorate, during clashes with security forces at the entrance to the West Qurna 2 oil field. Demonstrators breached security barriers as they demanded job opportunities, improved public services, and the opening of the Al-Thagher border crossing with Iran to stimulate the local economy.

Led by tribal leaders and local residents, the protesters advanced toward the oil field’s main gate after breaking through security barricades. In response, security forces formed a cordon to block further access.

“The protesters advanced to within 300 meters of the main gate after breaching the barriers,” said Ali Al-Maliki, one of the organizers, speaking to 964media. “Three protesters sustained bruises and injuries during the clashes and negotiations are ongoing, but we remain committed to our legitimate demands.”

Residents of Al-Thagher are pressing for a broad range of measures, including job creation, enhanced public services, the establishment of a hospital, and infrastructure improvements such as a new gate for the Majnoon oil field.

“After years of marginalization, we came here to demand our basic rights,” said Ali Waheed, another protest organizer. “We need services, job opportunities, a hospital, and the reopening of the Al-Thagher border crossing. We are also demanding an employment office to address the high unemployment rates among the town’s youth.”

The sit-in, which began three days ago, has escalated amid warnings from protesters that they will take further action if their demands are not met.

“We have endured years of injustice and deprivation under the former regime and successive governments after 2003,” said Khalid Mandil, another protest leader. “If our demands are not met, we will escalate by moving the sit-in directly to the oil field’s main gate. The large number of youth here makes it possible for the situation to spiral out of control.”