Gunmen kill Iraqi cleric linked to Basra protests
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 November 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Gunmen kill Iraqi cleric linked to Basra protests, 18 November 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5c34a763a.html [accessed 30 October 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
2018-11-18
Iraqi police say a Muslim cleric has been killed outside his home after suggesting that demonstrators in the southern port city of Basra should take up arms over poor public services.
Basra police say Wissam al-Ghrawi was shot and killed in front of his house in Basra's city center by unknown attackers late on November 17.
He had been a prominent figure in recent demonstrations to demand clean water and reliable electricity in Basra.
Basra, a key transit point for more than 90 percent of Iraq's oil exports, suffers from contaminated drinking water and regular electricity outages.
Ghrawi had been filmed at a protest on November 16 saying that clerics would issue a fatwa within days on taking up arms.
The video footage was shared widely on Iraqi social media.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
