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Basra’s Largest Oil Smuggling Ring Captured

One of the demonstrations in the southern city of Basra (AFP)
One of the demonstrations in the southern city of Basra (AFP)
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Basra’s Largest Oil Smuggling Ring Captured

One of the demonstrations in the southern city of Basra (AFP)
One of the demonstrations in the southern city of Basra (AFP)

The largest network for smuggling oil byproducts in the province of Basra in southern Iraq has been shut down with the arrest of all 19 members of the crime ring.

Vehicles such as trucks and tanks used for smuggling by the group were also seized.

The ring was captured in Khor Al-Zubair city in Basra, a security source with knowledge of the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Smuggling oil is supported and run by prominent Iraqi figures, partisan groups and militias and has been ongoing for years, the source said.

More dangerously, the source pointed out that arrested smugglers are being set free shortly after their capture as a result of pressure exerted by influential figures.

He fears that the 19-member ring will soon be released in the same fashion.

“There is a large market exploiting territorial waters to smuggle various goods, especially oil and drugs, waters which the state cannot control due to its limited capabilities and lack of adequate patrol boats,” the source added.

More so, the source mentioned that the smugglers are receiving security coverage from powerful officials.

“Smugglers use special gauges issued by the Ministry of Oil on oil tanks to slip by checkpoints without any trouble—tanks aren’t being inspected because they are presenting approvals issued by official bodies,” they explained.

On the other hand, the series of assassinations continues to shake up Basra province.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Basra Mahdi al-Tamimi confirmed the killing of two women on Friday evening, one of which runs a beauty salon.

Another young man, with no history of political activities or protesting, was also killed.

Protests broke out after a number of people were sickened by polluted water in Basra. Protests in Basra province first started in July, but little to nothing has been done to provide residents with fresh water.

At least four were killed, and two were wounded in the recent violence.

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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to kick off parliamentary consultations to form a new government.

He assured that it will “not exclude anyone”, but seek “unity and partnership.”

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that President Joseph Aoun is leading efforts to avert a Shiite boycott of the new government after the “Shiite duo” of the Hezbollah and Amal movement, which is led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, refrained from naming Salam for the position of PM during Monday’s consultations.

Their abstention has raised fears that the new government will not be constitutional without the representation of the largest Shiite parties in the country.

Reports have said that the duo may boycott the parliamentary consultations to form a government that Salam will hold on Wednesday.

Sources said the duo may skip the first day of talks, which will conclude on Thursday, to demonstrate its “annoyance” with the developments.

Berri, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “situation is not that negative”. He did not elaborate on the duo’s next steps.

Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that French President Macron had even intervened to avoid a dispute over the government, holding telephone talks with Aoun and Berri.

Salam’s appointment as prime minister came as a major shock given the large number of votes he won from the parliamentary blocs, compared to his predecessor Najib Mikati and against the will of the Shiite duo. In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister.

Aoun stressed the need to “avoid placing obstacles in the government formation process.”

Aoun held a meeting with Salam at the presidential palace on Tuesday before later being joined by Berri, who left the palace without making a statement.

After the talks, Salam spoke before reporters to express his gratitude to parliament and the people for entrusting him with the “difficult task of serving Lebanon” and “achieving the people’s dreams.”

“It is time to open a new chapter that is rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunity, so that Lebanon can be a nation of free people who are equal under their rights,” he added.

On the possible boycott of the Shiite duo, he said he was against exclusion and on the contrary supported unity. “This is my sincere call, and my hands are extended to everyone,” he added.

The formation of a government in Lebanon often takes months due to political wrangling.

Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon has a “very major opportunity that we should all seize.”

He received a delegation from the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.

“Obstacles must not be placed in the formation process,” he urged. “We must send positive signals to the international community that Lebanon can govern itself, carry out reconstruction transparently and build the state that we are all calling for.”

“If one segment of Lebanon is broken, then the whole country will break,” he stressed, saying Monday’s consultations to appoint Salam were a democratic process and that the public interest remains the top priority.

Aoun, who was elected last week, added that he has declined visits from well-wishers over his election “out of respect for the martyrs” who were killed during Israel’s war on Lebanon, which ended with a ceasefire in November.