Differences Among Iraqi Politicians over Basra Autonomous Region

Iraqis protest against the government and lack of basic services, on September 3, 2018 in the southern city of Basra. AFP
Iraqis protest against the government and lack of basic services, on September 3, 2018 in the southern city of Basra. AFP
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Differences Among Iraqi Politicians over Basra Autonomous Region

Iraqis protest against the government and lack of basic services, on September 3, 2018 in the southern city of Basra. AFP
Iraqis protest against the government and lack of basic services, on September 3, 2018 in the southern city of Basra. AFP

The Basra provincial council unanimously approved on Tuesday to transform the southern governorate into an autonomous region.

The Council also invited other governorates to join the new region.

The Iraqi Constitution states that any governorate can become a region with independent powers.

Article 119 of the Constitution states that one or more governorates have the right to organize into a region in two methods: A request by one-third of the council members or a request by one-tenth of the voters in each of the governorates intending to form a region.

Since 2008, Basra residents have been calling for a federation. However, their request has been rejected.

The city had witnessed a series of demonstrations since June 2018 due to poor services and unemployment.

Head of the Basra provincial council Sabah al-Bazoni said Tuesday the decision on the formation of the autonomous region needs the votes of 12 council members. “Today, we have more than 20 signatures,” Bazoni said.

“We support the Constitution and the will of the people in Basra to establish a region,” Galih Khazali, a deputy allied with the Bina Alliance and who represents Basra in Parliament, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Basra provides Iraq with 85 percent of its financial revenues, but “gets nothing in return, unlike the Kurdistan Region that offers nothing to the government from its oil revenues.”

However, another Basra deputy form the Reform Alliance, Badr al-Ziadi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the council’s latest move did not come at the appropriate time.

“Basrans cannot agree on appointing a governor, so how can we manage the whole Basra region?” Ziadi asked.



Sudanese Army Recaptures Positions from RSF in El Fasher

Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
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Sudanese Army Recaptures Positions from RSF in El Fasher

Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)

The Sudanese army carried out a surprise military operation in the early hours of Saturday in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, regaining several positions in the city’s far southwest that it had previously abandoned to advancing Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Military sources reported that calm returned to El Fasher after intense clashes on Friday between the army and RSF fighters, who attempted a major offensive to deepen their hold inside the city. In a statement, the army said its Sixth Infantry Division successfully repelled a fresh RSF attack, inflicting heavy losses in personnel and equipment, and restored control over all frontline areas.

RSF militants had infiltrated southern neighborhoods, seizing the Central Security Reserve headquarters and the Shalla prison. According to army sources, these forces were pushed back through ground combat supported by extensive drone strikes, forcing them to retreat to their original positions. The sources confirmed there were no significant breakthroughs or territorial gains by the RSF following the operation.

In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Kamel Idris expressed “deep anger, pain, and responsibility” over the worsening humanitarian disaster in El Fasher. He condemned the “suffocating and inhumane siege imposed by the RSF militia,” describing it as “one of the most brutal cases of collective extortion and systematic starvation in recent history.”

Idris vowed that the government would not stand idly by in the face of this “atrocious” crime and pledged to use all political, diplomatic, and humanitarian means to break the siege and ensure urgent aid reaches civilians trapped in El Fasher amid widespread starvation and international silence.

He called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with international and humanitarian organizations, to act immediately to pressure the militia to open humanitarian corridors and end the use of starvation as a weapon against civilians.

The prime minister highlighted the RSF’s refusal to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2736, which demands lifting the siege on El Fasher, and their rejection of UN calls for a humanitarian ceasefire. He held the militia responsible for obstructing aid and accountable for the ongoing starvation and terror inflicted on civilians.

Idris warned against silence over these crimes, including the killing of civilians fleeing the siege and bombardments. He also cited the systematic destruction of hospitals by RSF suicide drone and strategic attacks, threatening the lives of millions of innocent civilians.

“What is happening in El Fasher is a major crime committed in full view and hearing of the world,” he said, urging the international community to move beyond lukewarm statements to real action and pressure on those besieging, starving, and attacking civilians.

The RSF continues to attempt to seize the city and its army base, the last stronghold of government forces across all Darfur states. Military sources said defenders repelled the assault and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers.

The RSF has maintained a tight siege on El Fasher since May 2024, blocking all roads and supply routes and preventing humanitarian aid from entering, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths from starvation and medical shortages.