Basra in the news: Gulf oil tanker attacks linked to Iran raise regional flare-ups around Iraq’s southern port. Basra, Iraq’s third-largest city, sits on the Shatt al-Arab near the Persian Gulf.
On March 11-12, two oil tankers—the Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros—were attacked in Iraqi waters near Khor Al Zubair, resulting in one crew death and multiple rescues. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility amid ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. These attacks, part of at least 16 assaults on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf since late February, have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil supply and prices.
A passenger bus has crashed on a highway in Thi Qar province, south of Nassiriya, killing 21 and injuring about 20. Officials attribute the disaster to poor road conditions and a shortage of ambulances; several bodies were burned beyond recognition. The incident follows years of underinvestment in Iraq’s infrastructure.