Update: Lacking electricity, protests turn deadly in Basra

One dead, two injured in protests

Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces resulting in the death of one protester and injuries to two more, according to a source to Rudaw. 

The source added the protesters are demanding job vacancies and improving of electricity.

There have been a string of recent protests in the southern port city.

 

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Basra citizens take to streets, protesting lack of electricity

12:14 p.m.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A number of people from Basra province blocked a highway overnight and set fires following fewer hours of government-provided electricity.

“Basra is facing a real electricity crisis which has compelled its citizens to go out and protest against constant electricity outages,” Zahra Hamza, a member of Basra provincial council, told Rudaw.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil stated on Saturday that their distribution company has been providing oil to institutions, people who depend on the fuel, including to other government ministries.

“The company distributes petroleum products to provide fuel in all types of oil derivatives to citizens in the provinces and families, IDPs in areas liberated from terrorism, the Ministry of Electricity and private generators,” which provide electricity to people.

Iraq’s energy sector is state-owned. The government has blamed consumer waste.

The Ministry of Electricity last week launched an operation to cut the electricity of all those people who have “violated” their rules by taking more electricity than needed.

Their operation took place in Karkh, al-Rusafa, and al-Sadr areas in Baghdad.

Temperatures in Iraq are soaring, expected to reach 50 degrees Celsius in Basra next week. The result is more electricity demand due to more people staying inside, running air conditioners, air coolers, and fans.