<p>Protests in Basra continued on September 7, with hundreds gathering to rally against inadequate public services, unemployment and government corruption.</p><p>Friday’s protest saw activists set fire to the Iranian consulate in Basra before marching to the West Qurna 2 oilfield, where protesters briefly held two employees of a water treatment facility hostage.</p><p>Protests in the oil-rich southern Iraqi city have become increasingly violent, with at least 11 activists killed this week.</p><p>Basra has been rocked by unrest since July when protests began amid anger over problems with the water supply, infrastructure, and the lack of economic opportunity in the oil-rich province.</p><p>Despite the increasing violence, this video from inside the protests shows activists cleaning up garbage, distributing drinks and a young boy meeting a soldier. Credit: Ahmed Ali via Storyful</p><br />
