Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iraq, Nov. 20, 2018 – A political activist in the city of Basra, southern Iraq, was killed outside his home, police authorities said on Sunday. Wesam al-Qarawi played a key role in organizing demonstrations against poor city services, such as water and electricity shortages.
News agencies cited the police saying unknown armed men killed al-Qarawi, known for being very active in Basra’s summer protests that had a profound impact on the locals.
Despite providing for more than 90 percent of Iraq’s oil exports, the city of Basra is suffering from low water quality and constant power outages.
Al-Qarawi, an Iraqi cleric, was gunned down late Saturday night by a group of unknown men outside his home in downtown Basra, according to the city police.
During the past few days, al-Qarawi had posted a video recently saying there is a possibility cleric will issue a fatwa for protesters to take up arms. The video of this well-known Iraqi activist went viral in various social media platforms.
On September 25, a female human rights activist in Basra was gunned down and murdered in broad daylight. Ms. Saad al-Ali had played a significant role in September’s anti-government protests in Basra. Her husband was wounded in the attack. Ms. al-Ali, who supported the anti-government protests, headed the al-Wad al-Alami human rights organization.
Political and civil activists in Iraq believe Iranian regime operatives are behind these assassinations.
In the past few months, Iraqi demonstrations have attacked and set fire to the Iranian regime’s consulate in Basra.
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It is worth noting the people of southern Iraq, including the cities of Basra, Karbala, Samawa, and others, rallied this summer protesting poor state services, constant power outages, very low water quality and high unemployment especially for the youths. Waves of these protests even reached the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
Demonstrators in southern Iraqi cities set fire to the offices of al-Hekma, ad-Dawa and Fazilat offices and the office of Badr paramilitary forces in Mothana Province. These parties are all linked to the Iranian regime.
Covering the demonstrations at the time, Sky News reported the protesters focused on [Iranian regime founder Khomeini] and condemned the Iranian regime. These demonstrations were attempting to send a message to the Iraqi government and political parties that the Iraqi people oppose the Iranian regime’s presence in their country.
