IRAQ’S oil-rich Basra province has voted to become an autonomous region and will now look at measures to take forward secession from Baghdad’s central government.

The southern Iraqi state’s provincial council passed a motion on Monday with 20 council members voting in favour of autonomy, more than the 12 votes needed.

A committee has now been established to take steps to support the move for autonomous status consistent with the region’s wishes.

Head of Basra’s provincial council Sabah Al-Bazoni said: “All this aims to take Basra’s administrative and financial benefits from the federal government, in accordance with the Constitution.”

Demands for autonomy in Basra grew following widespread protests over the lack of public services and poor governance last year.

Basra produces around 80 per cent of Iraq’s oil but the revenue is collected by the central government in Baghdad with locals saying the wealth is not distributed fairly.

In 2015 the independent high electoral commission in Iraq agreed to hold a referendum to turn Basra into an autonomous region. 

However, then prime minister Nouri al-Maliki refused to allow Basra to become an independent territory.