Basra, Iraq – Iraq’s prime minister declared a state of emergency Wednesday in once peaceful and oil-rich Basra, as the sectarian and militia violence engulfing the country’s capital spread to its southern economic heartland.
In his first major policy speech since his government was sworn in May 20, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to restore security in Iraq as attacks around the country claimed 25 lives and wounded dozens.
“We shall use an iron fist against the leaders of the gangs or those who threaten security,” he said, apparently referring to the militias as well as rival tribal groups. “And we shall ask all security departments to draw up an effective and quick plan to achieve security.”
Al-Maliki’s month-long state of emergency broadens arrest powers for Iraqi security services and establishes an evening curfew.
It was the only state of emergency in effect across Iraq, according to officials. Other cities where violence is rampant, such as Baghdad and Ramadi, have only curfews.
“The state of emergency imposed in Basra for one month is made up of a group of exceptional measures imposed for a specific time by the prime minister for dealing with some events,” an Interior Ministry undersecretary, Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Al-Khafaji, said from Basra.
Tensions have been worsening in the Shiite-dominated area, where Britain has about 8,000 soldiers, and mostly Shiite militias have been attacking Sunni Arabs and battling each other.
Al-Maliki was addressing about 700 tribal sheiks, religious leaders, officials, army officers and other residents in Basra, Iraq’s second-largest city, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad.
U.S. officials have long accused the Iranians – though not necessarily the Tehran government – of smuggling weapons to Shiite militias in Basra.
