Smoke rises from a residential area near the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra’s Tamimiya neighborhood following an armed clash between two tribes. Several homes were damaged, though no casualties were reported.
Ten arrested after tribal clash in Basra’s Tamimiya neighborhood
BASRA — Police in Basra announced Saturday the arrest of ten individuals following an armed tribal clash in the Tamimiya neighborhood that began before dawn and continued into the morning, resulting in the burning of several homes and damage to vehicles.
“A specialized police unit conducted a targeted security operation in the Tamimiya area in response to an armed altercation in a residential neighborhood,” the statement said.
Earlier, activists had shared footage showing an exchange of gunfire across both sides of the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The clashes involved members of the Al-Ruwaimi tribe in the Dakhir area and the Karamsha tribe from the Tanuma side, reportedly triggered by a roadside altercation between men from the two tribes on Friday.
Eyewitnesses said stray bullets hit several homes in Dakhir, though no injuries were reported.
Police confirmed that the ten suspects were taken into custody and referred to the relevant legal authorities for further action.
Tribal disputes in Iraq often result in violent confrontations, particularly in southern provinces. These conflicts, which can span generations, frequently challenge state authority and complicate efforts by security forces to enforce the rule of law.