Iraqi police used batons and water cannons to disperse around 250 protestors gathered at the main entrance of the huge oil field of Zubayr yesterday amid escalating tensions in southern Iraqi cities due to the deterioration of public services. Officials in the field, run by Italy's Eni, said the production was proceeding normally.
Protesters have expressed anger at several oil fields since the protests began nine days ago.
"We have orders not to fire, but we also have orders not to allow anyone to influence operations in the oil fields, and we will take the necessary measures to remove the demonstrators from the fields," said a security official at the scene.
Protesters attacked local government buildings and political party headquarters, while Shi'ite fighters raided an airport in Najaf.
There have been protests for the same reasons before, but the tension this time is widespread and politically sensitive.
In a meeting with government officials on state television, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pledged to allocate water and electricity and create jobs in the oil city of Basra.
In Kuwait, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said that there is no security or military danger on the border with Iraq, stressing that they are ready for everything.
This came after the presiding of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, yesterday, an extensive cabinet meeting in the Office of the Council, where they discussed and discussed the latest developments in the political and security situation in Iraq, and its implications and prospects and how to deal with them.
Al-Ghanim said that the meeting in the office of the Council, called by the government side, was attended by 23 MPs.
"It turns out that there is no reason to worry or panic, but there is a need to take precautions, but it remains to be cautious, especially in Kuwait we have been subjected to a previous invasion.
He explained that the government has indicated that there is coordination with the Iraqi side in this aspect, and added: "There is no security threat or military, despite our readiness for all these threats." "The Kuwaiti preparations have been explained in case the situation in Iraq worsens and there is chaos and there may be displaced people," he said, adding that coordination had been coordinated with international organizations concerned.