Attacks on Iraq’s power grid spark sabotage fears

Attacks on Iraq’s electricity infrastructure must end, President Barham Salih said yesterday, as the country experienced widespread power cuts amid soaring temperatures.

High-voltage power lines in remote areas such as the eastern province of Diyala and the northern provinces of Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Mosul have come under attack, leading to the nationwide disruption of essential energy supplies.

“There is a vital need to preserve the stability and safety of the country, protect citizens and reject actions and abuses that undermine stability,” Mr Salih said during a meeting with former Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi.

“It is also important to combat terrorism and prevent acts of sabotage against supply energy lines.”

The country has faced a new wave of protests in several southern towns and at government-run power plants against prolonged power cuts as the temperature increases during the summer.

With the temperature reaching 50°C, protesters are expected to continue demonstrating until their demands are met.

The country’s Electricity Ministry said the power cuts, which started in the south before spreading to the rest of Iraq last month, were caused by unexplained attacks on power lines.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although some Iraqi officials blamed ISIS.

Despite the government announcing victory over the terrorist group in 2017, cells of insurgents still regularly stage hit-and-run attacks or plant explosives.

Iraq, which is the secondlargest producer in Opec, buys gas and power from neighbouring Iran to supply about a third of its energy sector, dilapidated by decades of conflict, poor maintenance and corruption.

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

Iraqi Electricity Minister Majed Hantoosh resigned only a day before Iran’s announcement.

Power shortages, a lack of access to clean water, dwindling employment opportunities and corruption have routinely led to violent protests, particularly in southern Iraq, as successive governments have failed to address the recurrent issues.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, although some Iraqi officials have blamed ISIS