Iraqis protest at round-the-clock power cuts as temperatures soar

Cuts follow Iran's decision last month to slash crucial power supplies to its neighbour

A man checks the wiring on electric cables in Baghdad as chronic power shortages have forced residents to buy electricity from those with private generators. AFP

Hundreds of Iraqi protesters demonstrated on Friday in several southern towns and at a government-run power plant against prolonged power cuts as temperatures soar.

“We want electricity to be restored and if it isn't, we're not leaving this plant. We're going to stay put and shut it down,” demonstrator Diaa Wady told AFP outside Al Khairat electricity station near the city of Karbala.

The crowd surrounded and attacked the car of an official, smashing its rear window and shouting.

Iraq — the second-largest producer in Opec — buys gas and power from neighbouring Iran to supply about a third of its power sector, dilapidated by decades of conflict, poor maintenance and rampant corruption.

But Iran decided last month to cut crucial power supplies to its neighbour, saying the Iraqi Electricity Ministry owes it more than $6 billion in arrears.

“We are peaceful protesters who are here only for our rights. Our demand is for electricity to return and if it doesn't, we'll bring our tents and camp out,” said frustrated demonstrator Sajjad Aoun Al Kiriti.

With daily highs topping 50°C for several days in succession, dozens also protested Friday in other southern provinces such as Maysan, Wasit and Al Kut.

The Electricity Ministry says the power cuts, which started last week in the south before spreading to the rest of Iraq, were caused by unexplained attacks on power lines.

“Someone is trying to destabilise the country and sow chaos,” ministry spokesman Ahmad Moussa said on television, without giving details.

Electricity Minister Majed Hantoosh resigned in late June, a day before Tehran announced its cutback in supplies.

It was the 18th year in succession that Iraq's minister of electricity has failed to survive the summer season.

Boiling temperatures and power cuts often go hand in hand during the summer months in Iraq, but there are other factors behind the latest crisis.

Iraq says it is unable to pay because of US sanctions on money transfers to Iran, a deep financial crisis compounded by lower oil prices and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government in Baghdad also says few consumers are paying their utility bills, with many stealing electricity by hooking up lines illegally to power mains.