Iraqi army thwarts an attempt to blow up a power transmission tower in Baghdad
Shafaq News/ Security forces thwarted an attempt to blow up a power transmission tower in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
In a statement issued today, Tuesday, the Commander of the Baghdad Operations, lt. Gen. Ahmed Salim, said that a security force of Baghdad Operations Command, in coordination with the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism services, seized eight explosive devices set to detonate a power transmission tower in Northeast Baghdad.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal squads managed to defuse the bombs without complications, the statement said.
Earlier today, the Security Media Cell reported foiling an attack on a main power line between Baghdad and Diyala.
Last month, a widespread power outage hit Iraq as temperatures reached scorching levels, affecting millions of Iraqis, including those in affluent areas in the capital of Baghdad, and stirring concerns of widespread unrest.
Iraq's grid was generating just over 4,000 megawatts, according to Ministry of Electricity data on Friday morning — significantly less than the 12,000-17,000 megawatts the grid generates on average. By midday, production had climbed to 8,000 MW.
The cuts have impacted Baghdad and the southern governorates in particular.
In the oil-rich southern city of Basra, which in the past has seen violent protests over chronic electricity cuts and poor public services, a group of protesters burned tires to block roads during a demonstration demanding the return of electricity.
The Electricity Ministry said power transmission lines have been routinely sabotaged by unknown groups in northern Iraq in recent weeks. One 400 kilovolt line from Kirkuk to Qayara was targeted Thursday, the ministry said in a statement.
Another 132 kV line was hit in Salahhadin on the same day.
Local TV channels initially reported that the outage on Friday was due to the cutting of a major 400 kV line between Baghdad and the southern Governorate of Babel. The ministry has not confirmed the incident.
Total shutdowns can also occur when Iraq's electricity network is working at maximum capacity. Defects in the transmission network and distribution capacity also contribute to outages. High temperatures can also impact the distribution lines.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi formed a crisis cell to take immediate measures to address shortages, according to a statement from his office.
Temperatures in Baghdad and other governorates have been soaring above 48 degrees Celcius in recent days. The government declared an official holiday in Baghdad on Thursday due to the scorching heatwave.
