Iraqi court orders arrest of Maysan council chief over civil disobedience threat

The Third Karkh Investigative Court in Iraq has issued an arrest warrant for Mustafa Dair, head of the Maysan Provincial Council, after he threatened to declare civil disobedience and block roads if the government did not reopen the Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran.

The decision followed Dair's statements giving federal authorities a three-day deadline to reopen the crossing, warning of escalatory measures. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi has ordered an investigation into his remarks.

These developments come amid protests in Maysan province over the continued closure of the crossing since October 20, which has disrupted trade and travel. Baghdad insists on maintaining federal control over border crossings.