Following violent protests
Diwaniyah Provincial Council fires electricity director
DIWANIYAH – The Diwaniyah Provincial Council dismissed Rawad Makoon, Director of Diwaniyah Electricity Distribution, in an emergency session on Sunday after widespread protests over power outages. The latest demonstration in Ghammas on Saturday saw police using force to disperse protesters, resulting in several injuries.
During the session, which was attended by Governor Abbas Al-Zamili, Council Member Adnan Al-Hilali stated that “the protests in Ghammas reflect the suffering of residents due to the continuous power outages, an issue that cannot be ignored and requires immediate intervention from the relevant authorities.”
Protests began as a nighttime demonstration in Ghammas and escalated into a sit-in blocking the road between Najaf and Diwaniyah. Protesters burned tires and rejected mediation by district director Mohammed Suwadi. They awaited Governor Al-Zamili for negotiations but were met by police, leading to injuries among demonstrators.
Al-Hilali condemned the use of force, emphasizing that “the right to protest is guaranteed by the constitution, and the use of force could escalate the situation and increase tension.” He blamed the crisis on poor management in the electricity sector and called for the dismissal of Makoon and his subordinates.
High summer temperatures have exacerbated electricity outages in many parts of Iraq, prompting protests against authorities for unreliable services.