Iraqis protest poor public services in Baghdad

By Ali Jawad
BAGHDAD (AA) – Hundreds of Iraqis rallied outside the security-fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad on Wednesday to protest poor services delivery by government institutions.

Protesters chanted slogans for improved electricity supply and bringing corrupt officials to accountability, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter on the ground.

Wednesday’s rally was called by the Community of Karrada People, a civilian gathering that campaigns for the rights of local residents in the area.

“Corrupt People Continue to Steal People’s Livelihood,” was among the banners waved by protesters.

“Despite pledges by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, services are getting worse and corrupt people continue to steal,” Yas al-Najm, a protester, told Anadolu Agency.

Al-Najm elaborated that hours of power cuts keep increasing despite the hot temperatures that reach 50 degrees Celsius.

Iraqis suffer shortage in power supplies, especially in camps where thousands of displaced Iraqis live.

Iraq generates around 13,500 megawatts and plans to increase its capacity with an additional 3,500 megawatts this year, according to the Electricity Ministry.

Last month, the Iraqi government asked the Finance Ministry to negotiate over loans to finance electricity projects in the country.

*Ibrahim Mukhtar contributed to this report from Ankara