ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Police in Iraq’s southern oil-rich province of Basra on Tuesday said they are investigating recent protests against the flow of salty water into the city, saying several members of security forces were injured in the demonstrations.

Protests have resurfaced in Basra with residents blocking major roads and setting tires on fire, angry over the ongoing crisis of salty water flowing into their homes. The flow of saltwater has significantly degraded the quality of the province’s drinking water. 

In a statement, Basra’s police said that “an investigation was ordered to determine the details of the incidents and take legal actions against those responsible.”

“A number of personnel were injured during the demonstrations while performing their duty to protect protesters and public and private property,” the statement added, calling on residents to adhere to the law and refrain from inciting unrest. 

The protests prompted an intervention from the province’s civil defense, which rushed to extinguish the flames after residents burned tires in an effort to contain the situation. 

On Monday, Basra Provincial Council member Nawfal al-Mansouri told The New Region that the saltwater crisis stems from “poor management by the Ministry of Water Resources,” accusing the ministry of “failing to provide quick and effective solutions.” 

He called for immediate measures, such as building desalination plants, repairing water networks, and using new purification technologies. 

Basra is facing one of the worst water crises in decades, driven by a sharp drop in water flowing downstream from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which have allowed saltwater from the Shatt al-Arab to extend deep into the city.