Middle East News
Demonstration ends in violence in Muthanna
By Pamela Hess
Aug 8, 2005, 19:00 GMT

SAMAWA, DC, Iraq (UPI) -- A political demonstration in the town of Samawa turned violent Sunday, killing one and wounding at least 50.

It was the second political demonstration that has ended in violence since June 28 in the southern Iraqi town, which is the capital of the relatively peaceful Muthanna province.

The two incidents may be related.

After police fired on demonstrators protesting for better water and power services in June the provincial governor fired the chief of police. He was replaced by the deputy chief of police, a man who hails from the same tribe as the old police chief.

A British official told UPI some of the police may have remained loyal to the old chief of police and tried to cause trouble for the new chief at what would otherwise have been a peaceful demonstration.

The militia loyal to Shi`ite cleric Muqtada Sadr may also have played a role in sparking the fight. The organization, while officially stood down as part of a cease-fire brokered by Sadr, is known to exploit whatever tensions exist in town for their own ends -- that is, causing troubles for coalition forces and the Iraqi security forces they are training.

\"There were certainly men roaming town with (rocket-propelled grenades) and automatic weapons,\" the British official said.

The official said the riot police and regular police, as well as Iraqi Army units which deployed in support of the police \"were disciplined and extremely patient under considerable provocation.\"

Shots were fired - it is not known by whom -- \"and this sparked a degree of chaos and rampage,\" the official said.

The official said the ensuing violence may have been opportunistic - that is, undertaken by Sadr`s militia or other armed men to foment chaos.

There is much frustration to exploit. Samawa gets two hours of electricity on and two hours off. The lack of electricity during the intense heat of summer in this desert area - where temperatures regularly exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit - also prevents water from being treated and pumped. The residents of Samawa believe their needs are ignored by Baghdad, a particular affront to them because of the relative peace that prevails there.

Muthanna is considered to be on top of the list for the eventual withdrawal of coalition troops because the situation has been considered stable. The province is policed by about 550 British troops and 450 Australian troops. There is also a large contingent of Japanese military engineers carrying out reconstruction projects.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International