Basra farmers hit by wave of transformer thefts

BASRA — Farmers southwest of Basra say a wave of thefts targeting electricity transformers has disrupted irrigation and crop cycles, with more than eight incidents recorded in the past month in the Raha, al-Mashroua, and Rumaila road areas.

Zubair district commissioner Abbas Maher called the thefts “a double threat,” warning that they damage power infrastructure and directly affect farmers’ ability to pump water. He said security forces have stepped up preventive measures, including ambushes in agricultural zones and inspections of scrap yards where stolen copper is sold.

“The security forces in Zubair are working on intensifying preventive measures and setting up ambushes in agricultural areas, in addition to monitoring scrap shops and metal outlets to block these gangs that exploit the absence of residents at certain times,” Maher told 964media. He urged residents to report suspicious activity and said coordination is underway with intelligence units to track suspects and increase night patrols.

Farmers said the thefts have been persistent. “The thefts began about a month ago when a transformer belonging to a farmer in the Raha area was dismantled and its internal coil sold as scrap,” farmer Mohammed Hussein said. “The incident was repeated in al-Mashroua, and a new case was recorded this morning when a coil was stolen from an abandoned farmhouse, bringing the total to more than eight in one month.”

Witnesses described the thieves as organized and well-equipped. “Surveillance cameras in one farm recorded two people on a motorcycle with a third on a [pick-up truck], opening transformers and stealing their coils,” said witness Fahad Yassin. He estimated the stolen material to be worth between 3 and 4 million dinars, noting that it is used to cool transformer oil and ensure proper function.