ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Monday ordered an investigation into the head of Maysan’s provincial council over his “threats” to declare civil disobedience if the al-Shib border crossing with Iran is not reopened.

The investigation against Mustafa Duair Abdulhassan, head of the Maysan Provincial Council, came after the official made “threats to declare a state of civil disobedience if the al-Shib border crossing is not reopened,” said a statement from Zaidi’s office. 

In the remarks made Sunday, Abdulhassan said that Maysan’s people “will have to resort to civil disobedience and cut Maysan off from the rest of Iraq” if the border crossing was not opened by Thursday. 

The statement from Zaidi’s office further accused the provincial council chief of “using inappropriate language.” 

Abdulhassan is affiliated with the Sadiqoun bloc of Shiite strongman Qais al-Khazali, which constitutes the political wing of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia. 

On Thursday, demonstrations were held in Maysan to protest the closure of the Shib border crossing. The protests were led by dozens of truck drivers and other workers who depend on the crossing. 

Sources speaking to The New Region days prior said that the Shib border crossing in Maysan province would be closed from Wednesday morning “until further notice,” without disclosing the reason, adding that all other border crossings with Iran would also be gradually closed.

Iraq’s border ports authority on Wednesday said the country’s land crossings on the border with Iran are currently undergoing “rehabilitation works,” following international reports that the crossings were closed under pressure from Washington.