Clashes erupt in protest near Iraq oil site

Clashes have erupted between protesters and security forces near oil fields in southern Iraq.

Local media said Sunday that clashes began after a group of protesters attempted to block a road leading to oil fields in the district of Zubair, located near the country’s main port city of Basra. 

The protesters demanded jobs in the nearby oil fields and blocked roads to several facilities.

“It’s our oil, we have a right to it,” the protesters chanted. “Zubair’s oil is being stolen by thieves” was another slogan.

Some said they had academic degrees applicable in the oil sector but still could not find jobs.

“I graduated in computer engineering five years ago and I still haven’t found a job,” said a demonstrator, who added, “Most of the youth in Zubair is unemployed. Even when the oil companies are hiring, they bring people from other provinces and nobody cares about our area because we don’t belong to any party and have no connections.”

Iraq heavily relies on the oil it produces in the south.

SS