Maysan council chief threatens secession over Shib border closure

The head of the Maysan Provincial Council in Iraq, Mustafa Dair, has threatened to separate the province from Iraq if the closure of the Shib border crossing with Iran continues. He gave the government a three-day deadline to reopen the crossing, warning of escalating protests if his demand is not met.

Dair vowed to resort to civil disobedience and block roads in the province if the Iraqi government does not comply with the demand to reopen the border crossing, which has become a focal point for protests in Maysan.

In an escalation on the ground, protesters in Maysan blocked roads leading to oil companies in protest at the closure, raising banners reading "No border, no oil," signaling their rejection of the continued shutdown.

The Iraqi government had ordered the closure of the Shib border crossing with Iran on October 20, with the decision taking effect on the morning of October 21. The closure applies to both travelers and goods until further notice.