Iraqi Protesters Withdraw from Najaf Airport

The situation has returned to normal at the airport of the Iraqi holy city of Najaf after protesters decrying economic hardship withdrew from the facility.

Iraqi state television said on Friday that flights had resumed at the airport, Press TV reported.

 Earlier in the day, hundreds of Iraqis stormed the facility and halted air traffic, Reuters said. 

The protests came after days-long demonstrations in the southern oil hub of Basra against unemployment and poor quality of public services.

Iraq’s Abadi visits Basra after deadly protests

Also on Friday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited Basra  and met with military and security officials.

So far, two people have been killed during scuffles between the demonstrators and security forces, one during the Basra protests, and another in the southeastern province of Maysan.

Protests have been bubbling away in the city since Sunday, with people trying to break into major oilfields.

On Thursday, security forces clashed with protesters near the giant West Qurna-2 oilfield. The confrontation led to the death of one person and the injury of at least 12 others, including members of security forces.

The protesters have also tried to storm the offices of oil companies. Local workers said around 10 protesters managed to briefly enter a crude separation facility before police pushed them back.

An angry crowd also set fire to a police vehicle, said two policemen at the scene.

At the heart of protests in Basra are unemployment, under-provision of public services, power outages, and severe water shortages.

Some protesters have called on foreign companies to create jobs. “Why should young men from Basra beg for jobs while oil companies are hiring foreign workers?” asked protest organizer Falih al-Darraji.

H.M