Iraqi Shia leader accuses US, Saudi Arabia of planning Basra protests

The Secretary-General of the Iraqi-based Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia,  Shia cleric Qais al-Khazali has accused the United States, Saudi Arabia and internal Iraqi parties of planning the demonstrations in Basra province which erupted last month.

“Political reasons were behind the chaos that occurred in Basra, and Prime Minister Haider Abadi is mainly responsible for them,” he said.

Al-Khazali said the US consulate in Basra issued directives to a “page” on social media which he accused of inflaming the situation, Russia Today news site reported on Wednesday.

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“The protests were originally legitimate and true, but the demonstrations burning of some factions headquarters and the popular crowd headquarters were politically motivated influenced by the US, Saudi Arabia and internal Iraqi factions” Al- Khazali said.

Earlier on July 8, protests have erupted in southern Iraqi provinces mainly in the oil-rich region of Basra against corruption and the armed militias influence within international institutions.