Iraqi police use batons to disperse protesters outside Zubair oilfield as unrest grows

BASRA, Iraq  — Iraqi police wielded batons and rubber hoses to disperse about 250 protesters gathered at the main entrance to the Zubair oilfield near Basra on Tuesday as unrest across southern cities over poor basic services gathered pace.

Since demonstrations began nine days ago, protesters have attacked government buildings, branches of political parties and powerful Shiite militias and stormed the international airport in the holy city of Najaf.

Iraq's military spokesman said authorities would not tolerate any actions that threaten the country's security.

Officials and industry sources said the protests have not affected output at Zubair, run by Italy's Eni, and the other major oilfields including Rumaila developed by BP and West Qurna 2 managed by Lukoil.

Many Iraqis believe their leaders do not share the country's oil wealth. Some demonstrators said foreign labourers were robbing them of employment at oil companies. 

Three protesters have been killed in clashes with police, including one at West Qurna 2, and dozens wounded.

"We the people of Basra hear about the Iraqi oil and its huge revenues, but we never enjoy its benefits," said 24-year-old protester Esam Jabbar. 

"Strangers have decent jobs at our oilfields and we don't have the money to pay for a cigarette. That's wrong and must be stopped." Jabbar said he was unemployed.

At the gate of Zubair field, police beat protesters on their backs and legs with batons and rubber hoses, witnesses said. 

Blood ran down one policeman's face after protesters hurled stones. Policemen also threw sand to put out tyres that the protesters had set ablaze. 

Iraq is the second-largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries after Saudi Arabia.

Crude exports account for 95 per cent of state revenue and any disruptions could badly damage its already limping economy at a time when Iraq needs tens of billions of dollars to rebuild after the three-year war with Islamic State.

Prolonged instability in the south could drive up global oil prices. Production at the Zubair field was 475,000bpd, an Iraqi oil official said in May. 

Iraq exported an average of 3.566 million bpd from its southern oilfields so far in July, said senior oil officials, levels confirming that the troubles have not disrupted crude shipments from the region.

Demonstrators, who have endured sweltering heat to press their demands, show no sign of letting up. They have vented anger in Basra, the biggest city in the south, Samawa, Amara, Nassiriya, Najaf, Kerbala and Hilla.

"We will not allow anyone to tamper with security and order by encroaching on public, private and government institutions, and also economic institutions," military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Rasool told a news conference. 

Protests over the same issues have occurred in the past. The unrest this time is more widespread and is politically sensitive. 

Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi is seeking a second term after a May 12 parliamentary election tainted by allegations of corruption.

Politicians are struggling to form a coalition government. Populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, whose political bloc won the majority in the poll, may now be in a stronger position to influence the choice of prime minister.

He defeated Iranian-backed rivals by promising to generate jobs, help the poor and eradicate corruption.

The Shiite heartland south has long been neglected despite its oil wealth, first by Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and then Shiite-led governments after him, including Abadi's.

Fetid piles of garbage can be seen on many Basra streets. Stagnant water with sewage has caused health problems and tap water is sometime contaminated with mud and dust. Electricity is cut off for seven hours a day. 

Murtadha Rahman, 22, ran barefoot on the scorching pavement to try and escape a charge by police outside the Zubair field.

"I live in a place which is rich with oil that brings billions of dollars while I work in collecting garbage to desperately feed my two kids. I want a simple job, that's my only demand," said Rahman, who said he was beaten by police.

"I won't go even if you kill me I will stay her. I want a job." 

In a meeting with government officials carried on state television, Abadi promised to allocate funds for water and electricity in Basra, once dubbed the "Venice of the Middle East" for its network of canals.