Khabat residents suspend protest over electricity, threaten renewed action

KHABAT — Residents of Khabat district in Erbil governorate have temporarily suspended a protest over chronic electricity shortages and lack of basic services, warning they will resume demonstrations if their demands are not met within two days.

The protest began late Friday, with demonstrators blocking the main Erbil–Mosul highway and setting tires on fire. Protesters said the action was driven by years of frustration over unreliable electricity and stalled infrastructure projects.

“We only get three hours of electricity a day in this 50-degree heat, and it’s been like this for nearly 15 years,” one resident told 964media. Others said the crisis affects at least 10 villages in the area, where residents face limited or no access to electricity, clean water, or functioning roads.

“The roads are broken, and there are no basic services,” another protester said.

The highway remained blocked for about nine hours before being reopened late at night. However, demonstrators issued a warning to authorities: “If our demands are not addressed within two days, we will return to the streets and close the road again.”

Local officials have yet to respond publicly to the protesters or issue any statements regarding the situation.