Deadly tribal conflicts hit southern Iraq

BASRA - Security forces in southern Iraq are struggling to contain a spate of recent tribal conflicts that have left citizens dead and injured, disrupted transportation routes, and damaged energy infrastructure.

Three battles this week – two in Basra province and one in Missan – have highlighted the limited capacity of government security forces, which have been stretched thin because many of the most capable units have redeployed to fight the so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group in other parts of Iraq.