Protests are threatening OPEC's 2nd biggest oil producer

Get the Full StoryProtests are erupting across Iraq.

If Iraq has major production outages, oil prices could spike.

Crude oil production has just begun to be disrupted.

Iraq’s future is again tottering with protests erupting of the country. Baghdad is being confronted by internal unrest, as economic and social problems have spilled over into the political arena. Protests and strikes have been reported in the major oil port of Basra, while reports are also mentioning protests in the provinces Dhi Qar, Wasit, Maysan and Babil. Peaceful protests seem now to have crossed a red line, as protesters and security forces have clashed near the Iranian border at Amara, with several injured and 2 killed as reported by NBC News. Violence also has erupted in the holy city of Najaf, where protesters stormed buildings and the airport.

A majority of the protests at present are focusing on the growing influence of Iran. Direct attacks have been reported on offices of the Kata’ib Hezbollah in Najaf, Dawa, Badr and other places. Kata’ib Hezbollah is directly linked to Iran and its Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC .See the rest of the story at Business InsiderNOW WATCH: North Korean defector: Kim Jong Un 'is a terrorist'See Also:The trade war is already hurting industrials here's why energy could be nextSpare capacity is emerging as the biggest risk factor in oilMexico's new president will probably keep its secretive billion-dollar oil hedge goingSEE ALSO: IMF: The US trade war could cost the global economy 430 billion

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