Iraqi, Iranian forces stand off in oil well row

AMARA, Iraq, (Reuters) - Iraqi and Iranian forces are dug in on either side of a disputed inactive oil well in the sensitive border area, with Iraqis vowing to fight if necessary to fend off another occupation of the well by Iranian soldiers.
Iraqi troops say they will defend the well, where Iranian troops raised a flag for several days this month. It is unclear how many troops are involved in the stand-off, but as many as 30 lightly armed Iraqi troops usually occupy border outposts in sensitive areas, and up to 10 in other areas. Some 11 Iranian soldiers are stationed near the disputed well.
The seizure of the well, which Iraq says is part of its Fakka oilfield in southeast Maysan province, triggered protests from the government in Baghdad and caused a rise in prices on jittery world oil markets.
“These wells in the Fakka region are Iraqi, and we will defend them to the last drop of blood,” said Brigadier-General Razak Abdul Hassan of the Iraqi border guards at Fakka.
The Iranians are 100 metres inside Iraqi territory, he said, some 80 metres from the disputed well. Iraqi troops watch from nearby, and both sides appear to be hunkered down behind earth walls at their bleak desert outposts.