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Angry Shi'ites storm Schlumberger camp at Iraq's Rumaila oilfield
Source: Reuters
Angry Shi'ites storm Schlumberger camp at Iraq's Rumaila oilfield
BY AREF MOHAMMED
BASRA, Iraq Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:53pm EST
(Reuters) - Dozens of angry Shi'ite Muslim workers and tribesmen stormed a Schlumberger Ltd camp at one of Iraq's main oilfields and wrecked offices early on Monday after accusing a foreign security adviser of insulting their religion, police and employees at the field said.
Oil officials and workers at the Schlumberger drilling site in Rumaila North said the problem started when a security adviser they identified as British asked Iraqi workers to take down a flag and banners depicting a figure revered by Shi'ites.
Schlumberger was not immediately available for comment late on Monday.
According to workers and officials, when the workers refused to remove the banners, the security adviser went to do so himself and tore one portraying Imam Hussein, whose death more than 1,000 years ago is currently being commemorated by Shi'ites across the world in rituals known as Ashura.
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BY AREF MOHAMMED
BASRA, Iraq Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:53pm EST
(Reuters) - Dozens of angry Shi'ite Muslim workers and tribesmen stormed a Schlumberger Ltd camp at one of Iraq's main oilfields and wrecked offices early on Monday after accusing a foreign security adviser of insulting their religion, police and employees at the field said.
Oil officials and workers at the Schlumberger drilling site in Rumaila North said the problem started when a security adviser they identified as British asked Iraqi workers to take down a flag and banners depicting a figure revered by Shi'ites.
Schlumberger was not immediately available for comment late on Monday.
According to workers and officials, when the workers refused to remove the banners, the security adviser went to do so himself and tore one portraying Imam Hussein, whose death more than 1,000 years ago is currently being commemorated by Shi'ites across the world in rituals known as Ashura.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/11/us-iraq-energy-idUSBRE9AA12720131111
