Iraq's Basra province seeks upgrade to federal region

Basra province in southern Iraq is once again seeking to become a federal region in the hopes of fixing the neglected area's dire economic and living conditions. National political parties remain divided on the issue, but provincial officials are making their move now, before the "summer crisis season" arrives, bringing mass protests and demands for better basic services like drinking water and electricity.

During these protests last year, demonstrators set fire to government buildings and the offices of political parties, as well as the Iranian Consulate.