Iran Press/Middle East: An Iraqi Shia paramilitary group, attended Iran embassy in Baghdad expressed regrets over September 7 attacks on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases, hospital and the Iranian consulate in Basra, southeastern Iraq.
In a meeting with Iran's envoy to Iraq Iraj Masjedi ,Head of Kata'ib Hezbollah political bureau Abu Ahmad Sudani said,Those who were arrested confessed that they have been in connection with foreign countries and some neighboring Arab states.
Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador said Tehran-Baghdad brotherly relations have become a source of concern for certain people.
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Basra on Friday, targeting major government buildings and setting them on fire.
Later in the day, rioters attacked and torched the Iranian consulate in downtown Basra.
Related:Iraqi Media: "Riyadh implicated in Iran consulate incident in Basra"
Basra is an important hub for oil exports, which account for over 95 percent of Iraq’s government revenues. Long neglected, the city is one of the few cities in the Middle East without an effective water treatment system. State officials blame a public funding crisis caused by years of low oil prices.
Violent protests in Basra erupted earlier this week and have since resulted in the deaths of 11 people, killed in clashes with local security forces.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, has ordered an inquiry into the violence, while the parliament announced it will hold an emergency session on Saturday.
The city has been hit by protests against poor public services since early July.
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