Basra reconstruction commission refers implementation of $ 100 million for

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: Basra reconstruction commission on Tuesday announced it referred the implementation of 167 projects and paid compensation to 500 individuals affected by military operations in the southern province. Basra’s commission of reconstruction and services referred $ 98.7 million for projects in electricity, water treatment, education and sports,” Rashhed al-Fahad, chief of Basra’s commission of reconstruction, told IraqiNews.com. “The money was allocated through a $ 100 million grant offered by the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki,” the local official noted. He highlighted the reconstruction commission approved “compensation for 500 individuals killed, wounded, and materially affected by the military operations launched by Iraqi security forces last March.” Basra, 590 km south of Baghdad, is Iraq’s main gateway to the Gulf and was the scene of pitted battles between security forces and militiamen loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The clashes followed the start of a crackdown dubbed as Saulat al-Fursan “The Knights’ Assaulat” in March. AM (S)/SR 1