For the second consecutive week, residents of Basra in southern Iraq have taken to the streets, demanding immediate government action to address the worsening crisis of basic services, particularly the severe lack of clean drinking water.

Protests have spread across the province, with demonstrators expressing anger over the government’s failure to provide potable water—a crisis that has persisted for over 20 years. The situation has been exacerbated by upstream dam projects in Turkey and river diversions from Iran, which have drastically reduced freshwater flow into the Shatt al-Arab.

As a result, drought and rising salinity levels have left the river water undrinkable, forcing residents to rely on expensive or unsafe alternatives.

"We are only asking for basic services. Northern Basra doesn’t even have drinking water," said Mohammed Hussein, a protester. "The local government ignores us, so we will keep protesting until they listen."

Despite repeated appeals from Basra’s provincial government to Baghdad, residents say their demands remain unaddressed. Many areas lack functional infrastructure, including irrigation systems, leaving communities without reliable water access.

Hussein Shaddad, a member of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, acknowledged the mismanagement of funds allocated for development projects. "Some areas still have no services, and the companies handling these projects are moving too slowly," he said. "The Basra Provincial Council must be held accountable for these delays."

Shaddad also blamed the absence of permanent administrative leaders in Basra for hindering progress. "Acting officials are in charge, which weakens governance and service delivery," he added.

Demonstrators have warned that if authorities fail to provide long-term solutions, they will expand their protests. For now, residents remain resolute in their fight for a fundamental right—clean water—that much of Iraq takes for granted.