LOC13:51
10:51 GMT
BAGHDAD, July 18 (KUNA) -- Hundreds of protesters blocked progress of
caravans and busses taking Iranian pilgrims into Iraqi territory en route to
Shiite sites and shrines, in the second such incident in June.
This comes in retaliation over Iran's cutting off the waters of Wand River
which irrigated Iraqi farmlands and marshes in Diyala and in large areas on
the Iraq-Iran borders.
A security source told KUNA, Monday, that hundreds of civilians and members
of civil community organizations peacefully blocked the progress of the
Iranians on the road between Al-Munthereyah border point and highways leading
into Iraqi territory.
The protest is thought to have left some 1,000 Iranians stranded, he said,
adding police is currently keeping the peace at the site.
The first such protest took place July 10, when over 300 Iranian pilgrims
were prevented from making their way into Iraqi territory by angered farmers.
Al-Munthereyah border point is the most important portal between the two
countries and is usually crossed by hundreds of Iranians seeking to visit
religious sites in Karbala, Kufa, Baghdad, and Samarra.
The region affected by the cutting off of the river water is virtually
Iraq's breadbasket, which explains the level of tension.(end)
ahh.wsa
KUNA 181351 Jul 11NNNN