ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Hundreds of people of southern Iraq’s Diwaniyah province took to the streets for the second consecutive day in protest of poor services and frequent electricity shortages, exacerbated by the scorching summer heat. Local security forces responded to the demonstration with violence.
The protests began on Friday evening in front of the electricity directorate in Ghamas before expanding to other parts of the district on Saturday. Scores of protesters gathered near the mayoral office, while others blocked the main road connecting Najaf and Diwaniyah with burning tires.
Security forces fired live bullets and tear gas canisters, and detained dozens of protesters in an attempt to quell the demonstrations. The detainees were released later the same day following the intervention of tribal leaders.
The demonstrations were ongoing late on Saturday night across the district and the road remained blocked. Protesters have refused to go home until their demands are met, especially increasing water and electricity supplies.
Protesters speaking to Rudaw said that they receive only two interrupted hours of national electricity on a daily basis. Tariq al-Baraqaawi, a member of Diwaniyah’s provincial council, held Baghdad responsible for the power shortage.
“Diwaniyah needs 1,450 megawatts of electricity but currently receives under 500 megawatts from Baghdad, which has caused a complete collapse in the national grid,” Barqaawi told Rudaw, adding that they have previously asked the electricity ministry to increase the power supply, but the demand has fallen on deaf ears.
At least four protesters were wounded in the security forces’ violent crackdown, according to an eyewitness who spoke to Rudaw. Footage published on social media showed several protesters who appeared to have breathing difficulties due to the tear gas.
Rudaw contacted Diwaniyah’s police and health directorates to confirm the number of injured, but they were not immediately available.
Diwaniyah is considered one of Iraq’s poorest provinces. According to official data, over 47 percent of people in Diwaniyah live below the poverty line.
Despite its large oil and gas reserves, Iraq suffers from chronic electricity shortages, which is keenly felt when summer temperatures reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Demonstrations protesting electricity and water shortages are common occurrences in the southern parts of the country during the summertime.
Ziyad Ismael in Diwaniyah and Abdullah Salam in Erbil contributed to this report
