Turmoil on the border with Iran: the Iraqi province threatens to secede from the country Maysan province in southeastern Iraq was on the verge of an open conflict with Baghdad. The chairman of the local council, Mustafa Deer, issued a strict ultimatum to the central authorities in the country, demanding the renewal of the Al-Shib border crossing on the border with Iran within three days. Speaking at a press conference directly in front of the blocked checkpoint, the official said that if the demands are ignored, the regional authorities and the population will move to actions of civil disobedience, and the province itself will raise the issue of secession from Iraq. Work at the key Al-Shib checkpoint was suspended by order of Prime Minister Al-Zaidi. The decision to close the border was made against the background of concerns among Iraqi security officials regarding the illegal passage from Iran of components for assembling drones.

Turmoil on the border with Iran: the Iraqi province threatens to secede from the country Maysan province in southeastern Iraq was on the verge of an open conflict with Baghdad. The chairman of the local council, Mustafa Deer, issued a strict ultimatum to the central authorities in the country, demanding the renewal of the Al-Shib border crossing on the border with Iran within three days. Speaking at a press conference directly in front of the blocked checkpoint, the official said that if the demands are ignored, the regional authorities and the population will move to actions of civil disobedience, and the province itself will raise the issue of secession from Iraq. Work at the key Al-Shib checkpoint was suspended by order of Prime Minister Al-Zaidi. The decision to close the border was made against the background of concerns among Iraqi security officials regarding the illegal passage from Iran of components for assembling drones.