- Protesters take to the streets in Iraq capital Baghdad
- Power outages have enraged protesters
- Protesters ask the government to solve power issues
As temperatures soared over 50 degrees celsius, residents of Baghdad, Iraq take to the streets in protests over the prolonged power outages in the midst of soaring temperatures. Power outages have hit major cities in Iraq forcing protesters to the streets. Protesters ask the government to resolve persistent power sector challenges.
Power outages have increased owing to technical issues and terrorist attacks on transmission towers. Last week, Energy Minister Majed Hantoush resigned under public pressure due to the electricity shortage. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered the formation of an emergency committee to tackle the electricity crisis.
The Iraqi electricity sector has since 2003 US-led Invasion faced the challenge of inefficient systems, corruption and fuel shortages and terrorist attacks on electrical equipment.