Pipeline Strike Reaching Crisis Point

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Pipeline Strike Reaching Crisis Point
Maliki Orders Arrests, Sends out Troops; Fuel Crunch Hits Neighboring Areas


The Iraqi military has surrounded striking oil workers in southern Iraq, labor organizers report, as the workers’ remained defiant in their action to block strategic pipelines near Basra.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has vowed a harsh response as the shutdown’s effects begin to ripple through Iraqi markets, and at least one neighboring province braces for worsening fuel shortages.

Prime Minister Maliki has ordered the arrest of union leaders, UPI reports, citing the British-based Naftana, an activist organization that supports the union’s demands.

Hasan Juma' Awad, the head of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, said that no arrests have been made, communicating with UPI via mobile phone, but that the Iraqi security forces were present and had informed him that they would be the ones making any arrests.

The arrest warrant reportedly accuses the union organizers of "sabotaging the economy," and Maliki said that an "iron fist" would brought against those who interfered with Iraq’s petroleum trade, UPI reports, citing Naftana.

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