IRAQ: Angry Shi'ites beat up security advisor at Iraqi oilfield

Record ID: 344363

  • Title: IRAQ: Angry Shi'ites beat up security advisor at Iraqi oilfield
  • Date: 12th November 2013
  • Summary: RUMAILA NORTH FIELD, BASRA, IRAQ (NOVEMBER 11, 2013) (VIDEO OBTAINED BY REUTERS) ***QUALITY AS INCOMING*** PEOPLE ON TOP OF PICK UP TRUCK DRIVING TOWARDS STATIONARY VEHICLE CHEERING " YES TO HUSSEIN." CROWD OF ANGRY PEOPLE SURROUNDING THE STATIONARY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN ATTACKED VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CARRYING SHOVELS AND WEAPONS ATTACKING VEHICLE VARIOUS OF MAN WITH RED JACKET BEING PULLED OUT OF VEHICLE AND MADE TO STAND TO ONE SIDE VARIOUS OF A SECOND MAN / SECURITY ADVISOR BEING PULLED OUT THE VEHICLE AND BEING ATTACKED BY MEN CARRYING BRICKS, METAL RODS AND STICKS VARIOUS OF SECURITY ADVISOR WITH HIS FACE BLEEDING AND COVERED IN BLOOD
  • Embargoed: 27th November 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Crime,Politics,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAVKJ2H91PEA7T5PC7BOCKUA7M
  • Story Text: A foreign security adviser was attacked on Monday (November 11) by angry Shi'ites who accused him of insulting their religion by tearing down a banner portraying Imam Hussein, whose death more than 1,000 years ago is currently being commemorated by Shi'ites across the world in rituals known as Ashura.
    Dozens of angry Shi'ite Muslim workers and tribesmen stormed Schlumberger Ltd camp at one of Iraq's main oilfields and wrecked offices early on Monday, police and employees at the field, said.
    Oil officials and workers at the Schlumberger drilling site in Rumaila North said the problem started when a security adviser they identified as British asked Iraqi workers to take down a flag and banners depicting a figure revered by Shi'ites.
    Schlumberger was not immediately available for comment late on Monday.
    In the ensuing row, the security adviser pulled out a gun and fired several shots, wounding an Iraqi worker and drawing dozens of people from a nearby village to join the workers in storming the Schlumberger drilling camp.
    Officials of the state-run Southern Oil Company said production from the field was not affected by the incident, but oil officials said Schlumberger had suspended its operations in response, not only in Rumaila but at the other oilfields in Basra province.
    The protesters smashed up offices and severely beat the foreign security adviser, oil officials and workers said. A video obtained by Reuters showed a man being pulled from a vehicle and attacked by a number of men carrying sticks, metal rods and even a pick-axe. He was left with blood streaming down his face. Security officials said the man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
    Police and the army intervened to restore order and expelled the protesters from the site.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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