Aras Habib, head of the Iraqi National Congress. (Photo: Screenshot from his interview with Dijlah TV.)
Media Monitor
Iraqi National Congress leader warns of looming electricity crisis, criticizes ‘failure’ to build diplomatic relations
BAGHDAD — Iraq faces a catastrophic electricity shortage, with Baghdad’s daily power supply potentially dropping to as few as five to nine hours a day, claimed Aras Habib, head of the Iraqi National Congress.
“The upcoming electricity crisis will be catastrophic,” Habib said in an interview with Dijlah TV. He attributed the looming crisis primarily to the country’s lack of a reliable gas supply.
Habib criticized Iraq’s weak diplomatic efforts, pointing out that the government has failed to develop strong ties with influential nations such as the U.S., the U.K., France, or even Ethiopia. He further emphasized that Iraq lacks an effective lobbying presence in Washington.
On domestic political issues, Habib defended former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s right to return to Iraq, saying Al-Kadhimi carries “no messages” and should not be feared.
He also reflected critically on Iraq’s past foreign policy decisions, labeling Baghdad’s previous support for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad as “a mistake.” Habib further argued that the Shia political leadership has failed to effectively govern, particularly in power-sharing arrangements and resource management.
Excerpts from Aras Habib’s interview with Dijlah TV:
The upcoming electricity crisis will be catastrophic, with Baghdad being the most affected area, because the Bismayah power plant will be completely deprived of gas, and the maximum electricity supply will range between 5 to 9 hours per day. The solutions remain superficial without securing a real gas source.
Time is running out on the dollar issue. Our funds are with the Americans, and U.S. courts have issued various rulings against Iraq. These rulings have not been enforced due to presidential vetoes, but if Trump decides to lift the veto, “all our money will be gone.”
We must undergo real internal change, not just tell the Americans one thing while doing another. I do not know how much time is left—a month, two, or three—but the Americans warned us before Trump’s return, and they could act at any moment. Right now, they are preoccupied with Syria and Gaza, but they will turn their attention to us afterward.
The Iraqi state today does not even have a single lobby group [in the U.S.], even though its cost would not equal the salary of one parliamentarian.
Iraq has failed to build strong relations with the U.S., the UK, France, Turkey, or even Ethiopia. Even our relationship with Iran was formed through individuals rather than the state.
Mustafa Al-Kadhimi is an Iraqi citizen and has the right to engage in political activity like any other Iraqi. He wants to return to his country, carries no messages, and will not convey any. There is no need to fear his return—it is his right to carve out his own path in Iraq. Those who investigate his connections may understand how he reached the position of intelligence chief.
Bashar Al-Assad harmed Iraqis from 2003 to 2009 by sending car bombs and suicide attackers. But when he found himself in trouble in 2011, we sent fighters to support him—a mistake.
The Shia ruling class has failed in governance, and this overarching failure has compounded all other mistakes. They also failed in power-sharing. We could not play the game correctly, and the current situation is a failure in role distribution and resource management.
