Protests turn violent in Iraq's Kut over power shortages

Protests over chronic power shortages intensified in the southeastern Iraqi city of Kut on Tuesday, as demonstrators gathered in the city’s main square demanding a reliable electricity supply amid soaring temperatures that have pushed daily highs above 45 °C (113 °F). Residents, many of whom have endured rolling blackouts for weeks, carried signs and shouted slogans calling for immediate action from the Ministry of Electricity, while local officials warned that the grid’s limited capacity is strained by the extreme heat and increased demand for cooling.

Security forces responded by deploying additional personnel to the protest sites, urging the crowd to disperse peacefully and warning of potential arrests for any acts of violence. Government spokespersons acknowledged the severity of the shortages, citing ongoing infrastructure repairs and fuel constraints, and pledged to accelerate the restoration of service to the region. The demonstrations underscore growing public frustration with Iraq’s energy challenges, and authorities have indicated that a coordinated plan to boost generation and improve distribution will be presented in the coming weeks.