Iraqi protesters prevent oil trucks from going to Jordan
Supporters of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), ride in a bus heading to Iraq’s main border crossing with Jordan to express solidarity with Gaza. Photo: Reuters
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqis protesting against the Israeli attacks on Gaza are preventing oil tanker trucks from going to Jordan.
The Iraqi protesters refuse to have Iraq’s oil exported to countries that have peace agreements with Israel, according to Reuters.
Around 800 demonstrators belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) started a sit-in last Friday at the country’s main border crossing with Jordan to show solidarity with the people in Gaza.
The protesters demanded an end to Israel’s siege and assault on the Gaza Strip.
According to final statistics issued by the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO), Iraq exports nearly 450,000 barrels of crude oil to Jordan every month.
An Iraqi official told Reuters that at least 70 trucks carrying crude oil used to pass through the border crossing every day, adding that the protesters are allowing people and other goods to enter Jordan.
Hamas militants launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
Israel established a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and continued relentless bombing, pushing almost half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population from their homes and leading to a humanitarian catastrophe as food, fuel, and water supplies are critically low.
The Health Ministry in Gaza mentioned on Thursday that 7,028 Palestinians, including 2,913 children, have been killed since October 7.
Israeli officials said that 1,400 people have been killed and 3,500 have been injured in rocket launches and terror acts by Hamas.
Israeli authorities said earlier on Thursday that 224 Israeli hostages are being held captive by Hamas militants in Gaza.