Iraq Braces for Power Shortages as Iran Cuts Gas Supplies

A general view of cars in a market in Baghdad, Iraq (Reuters)
A general view of cars in a market in Baghdad, Iraq (Reuters)
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Iraq Braces for Power Shortages as Iran Cuts Gas Supplies

A general view of cars in a market in Baghdad, Iraq (Reuters)
A general view of cars in a market in Baghdad, Iraq (Reuters)

The electricity supply reaching Iraqi homes has dropped once again as the country continues to struggle with a three-decades old power crisis that successive governments have failed to resolve. Instead of finding a solution, authorities often present weak justifications and excuses.

Iraq's Electricity Ministry said Wednesday the country will face power shortages after crucial energy supplies from Iran were cut over non-payment.

In a statement, the ministry said the total electricity supply was drastically reduced after Iran stopped exporting 5 million cubic meters of gas daily to Iraq.

Iran had demanded that Iraq pays $1.2 billion by the end of May.

“The Iranian side has demanded payment of the financial obligations for the gas fees from the Iraqi side,” the ministry’s statement said.

Iraq has been unable to make the payment because of the failure of political elites to form a government eight months after national elections. The caretaker Cabinet that's in place does not have the authority to make the payments.

The Electricity Ministry said it was in contact with Iran to find a solution to addressing the debt and resume power supplies.

A few days ago, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi chaired a meeting of the Energy Committee, in the presence of several ministers.

“The meeting was devoted to discussing the situation of electrical energy, overcoming obstacles,” read a statement released by the premier’s office.

The meeting discussed the maintenance and repairs of electric power transmission networks, the mechanisms for providing fuel for electric power plants, and finding quick solutions to the problems that may hinder the sustainability of their work.

During the meeting, Kadhimi stressed the importance of continuing efforts and working at the highest pace to provide electricity to citizens, prepare to face any potential crisis this summer, and provide possible solutions to address it quickly.



UN Seeks $6 Billion to Ease Hunger Catastrophe in Sudan

Displaced Sudanese, who fled the Zamzam camp, gather near the town of Tawila in North Darfur on February 14, 2025. (AFP)
Displaced Sudanese, who fled the Zamzam camp, gather near the town of Tawila in North Darfur on February 14, 2025. (AFP)
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UN Seeks $6 Billion to Ease Hunger Catastrophe in Sudan

Displaced Sudanese, who fled the Zamzam camp, gather near the town of Tawila in North Darfur on February 14, 2025. (AFP)
Displaced Sudanese, who fled the Zamzam camp, gather near the town of Tawila in North Darfur on February 14, 2025. (AFP)

UN officials on Monday asked for $6 billion for Sudan this year from donors to help ease what they called the world's worst ever hunger catastrophe and the mass displacement of people brought on by civil war.

The UN appeal represents a rise of more than 40% from last year's for Sudan at a time when aid budgets around the world are under strain, partly due to a pause in funding announced by US President Donald Trump last month that has affected life-saving programs across the globe.

The UN says the funds are necessary because the impact of the 22-month war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - that has already displaced a fifth of its population and stoked severe hunger among around half its population - looks set to worsen.

World Food Program chief Cindy McCain, speaking via video to a room full of diplomats in Geneva, said: "Sudan is now the epicenter of the world's largest and most severe hunger crisis ever."

She did not provide figures, but Sudan's total population currently stands at about 48 million people. Among previous world famines, the Bengal Famine of 1943 claimed between 2 million and 3 million lives, according to several estimates, while millions are believed to have died in the Great Chinese Famine of 1959-61.

Famine conditions have been reported in at least five locations in Sudan, including displacement camps in Darfur, a UN statement said, and this was set to worsen with continued fighting and the collapse of basic services.

"This is a humanitarian crisis that is truly unprecedented in its scale and its gravity and it demands a response unprecedented in scale and intent," UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said.

One of the famine-stricken camps was attacked by the RSF last week as the group tries to tighten its grip on its Darfur stronghold.

While some aid agencies say they have received waivers from Washington to provide aid in Sudan, uncertainty remains on the extent of coverage for providing famine relief.

The UN plan aims to reach nearly 21 million people within the country, making it the most ambitious humanitarian response so far for 2025, and requires $4.2 billion - the rest being for those displaced by the conflict.