BASRA, Iraq, July 17, 2018 (News Wires) - 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 Shi'ite militias and stormed the international airport in the holy city of Najaf. 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, including one at West Qurna 2. "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. 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.
