As the last paragraph shows, this is a reaction to the recent return of alcohol to Basra. A What-Are-We-Fighting-For Sharia Alert from Iraq: “Iraq: Alcohol banned in southern city of Basra,” from AKI, May 22 (thanks to Stlreader):
Baghdad, 22 May (AKI) – Alcohol has been banned in the southern Iraqi province of Basra.
The provincial Basra Council has approved a new law enforcing the ban in the territory, the Voices of Iraq news agency cited Council president Nasif al-Ibadi as saying.
The alcohol in the province was approved late on Wednesday, al-Ibadi said.
“You will not be able to cross the borders between Iraq and other neighbouring countries carrying loads of alcohol to other parts of the country,” he stated.
The local administration applied the change under Article 2 of the Iraqi constitution that includes the application of Sharia law.
The alcohol ban appears to be one of several changes in the area following an offensive by Iraqi security forces against the Shia militias of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr a month ago.
Several local bars reopened in Basra recently after being closed for four years. They began serving alcohol after soldiers arrived from Baghdad to carry out the military offensive.