Deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Abou Mahedi al-Mouhandes held the United States responsible for the unrest in the southern Iraqi province of Basra. He said during a meeting with Iraqi media representatives that the “Americans threatened to set Basra on fire” if the term of Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is not renewed. He vowed to present “evidence of the US Consulate’s disruptive role in Basra.” “We assert to the Americans that a Shiite-Sunni war will not erupt and the developments in Basra are similar to what happened in Egypt at the time of the collapse of the Mubarak regime,” he remarked. Moreover, Mouhandes revealed that some 6,000 to 8,000 American soldiers are present in Iraq, namely southwest of Sinjar. “We informed Abadi of this and he denied his knowledge of the matter,” he continued. Asked if the Iran-backed PMF will play a role in Basra, he replied that the forces were playing their role by monitoring the situation and “keeping tabs on the American conspiracy.” Iraqis have been holding demonstrations in oil-rich Basra for weeks in protest against unemployment and poor services. The rallies intensified this week after some 18,000 people fell ill after drinking contaminated water. Angry protesters set fire earlier this week to the Iranian Consulate in Basra and chanted anti-Tehran slogans. They also attacked the headquarters of pro-Iran militias. Dozens of people were killed and injured in ensuing clashes with security forces.