What do protesters want?

Although Basra provides a staggering 80 per cent of Iraq’s oil riches with its more than 200 billion barrels of estimated reserves, it has little to show for it as residents complain that oil revenues are not being invested back into the province.

Widespread unrest is engulfing southern Iraq due to shortages of electricity, water and jobs. This is not the first time that demonstrations, triggered at least initially by the lack of electricity during the hot summer months, have destabilised southern Iraq.

Persistent power shortages since the US-led invasion leave people sweltering without fans or air conditioners. This year, conditions have worsened due to a severe drought which has reduced the availability of water, and a decision by Iran to cut off the electricity it exports to Iraq because of a dispute over payments, further reducing the supply.

This time protesters are turning much of their wrath against the Shiite parties that have dominated Iraqi politics since the toppling of Saddam Hussain in 2003, as well as against Iran, which is closely allied to the Shiite political establishment.

Iraqis say they blame the government, including Al Abadi and many other Shiite politicians, for the failure to provide jobs, infrastructure and improve the economy.

Allegations of corruption at all levels of government are widespread, and the close relationship of many of the Shiite elites with Iran has deepened the resentment.

In a video showing the attack on the Dawa Party headquarters in Najaf, a protester is heard referring scornfully to the party that has dominated Iraqi politics since 2006 as “the Iranian Dawa Party.”

In another video, demonstrators can be heard chanting “burn the Iranian parties.” “We want to end these corrupt political parties just like we ended Saddam,” said Haidar Al Taie, 24, a medical student in Najaf told the Washington Post.

“This party has been sucking our blood since 2003, and look at them now: They are the richest people.”