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Basra tribesmen and residents shut down West Qurna 1 oil station over jobs and services

Basrah, Basra, Iraq · since Oct 30, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 7 and counting, since Oct 30.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Protesters are demonstrating over years of ignored grievances regarding delayed public services, unemployment, and poor infrastructure near oil facilities.
What they want
They want local employment, action on public sector jobs and contracts, resumption of bridge construction, and rebuilding of the Qurna-Basra highway.
What changed
Nov 3: Protesters shut down Station 8 at the West Qurna 1 oil field and issued a three-day deadline to federal and local authorities.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Jobs for local residents and action on public sector contracts and salaries
  • Resumption of work on a bridge linking Al-Sadiq and Izz al-Din Salim districts
  • Rebuilding of the Qurna-Basra highway
  • Improved infrastructure, health projects, and a fix for water pollution

What authorities say

Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani stated that citizens have the right to protest within the law without encroaching on property, but rejected escalations affecting oil fields and noted some demands belong to the federal government. Lawmaker Uday Awad urged the Prime Minister to visit Basra and meet protest leaders.2

The full story

Thousands of tribesmen and residents from northern Basra gathered and shut down Station 8 at the giant West Qurna 1 oil field, escalating a sit-in that began on Friday near the field's entrance. Organised by community groups and led by figures such as Sheikh Maytham al-Mansouri, the protest aims to pressure the government over chronic unemployment and long-delayed public services. Demonstrators demanded local jobs, the resumption of work on a bridge linking the Al-Sadiq and Izz al-Din Salim districts, the reconstruction of the Qurna-Basra highway known as 'Death Road', and fixes for water pollution. In response, Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani stated that residents have a right to protest lawfully but rejected any escalation affecting oil fields, noting that some demands fall under federal jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Basra lawmaker Uday Awad urged the Prime Minister to visit the governorate and meet with protest leaders.

Timeline

  1. Thousands of tribesmen rallied at the field, and protesters shut down Station 8, giving authorities a three-day deadline.12

  2. Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani met with the protest organizing committee and rejected any escalation near oil fields.2

  3. Residents of the Al-Sadiq district pitched sit-in tents near the entrance to the West Qurna 1 oil field.12

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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