Iraq PM Accuses ‘Terrorists’ of Targeting Electricity Poles

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Reuters
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Reuters
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Iraq PM Accuses ‘Terrorists’ of Targeting Electricity Poles

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Reuters
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Reuters

The Iraqi government announced on Thursday the use of drones to protect power towers, which were recently targeted with the onset of rising temperatures.

Over the past two years, drones were used by pro-Iranian armed factions to target US forces, or by unknown parties targeting brigades, headquarters, and figures affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces.

However, with the sharp rise in temperatures in Iraq, terrorists, as described by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, began attacking transmission towers, which led to a sharp decline in power supply.

During a meeting of the national security ministerial council, Kadhimi announced his government’s success in providing power, but he mentioned "a repeated and intentional targeting of electrical towers in a number of provinces that affects the hours of supply.”

In an attempt to limit the targeting of energy towers, the Iraqi government is using drones to protect the towers and identify the parties behind the attacks.

Political observers did not rule out a role by ISIS.

Meanwhile, the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency in the Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of nine terrorists, including a woman, in Kirkuk.

Those were detained pursuant to arrest warrants against them under the provisions of Article 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Law, the statement said.



Many Killed in Explosion, Fire at Gas Station in Central Yemen

A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
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Many Killed in Explosion, Fire at Gas Station in Central Yemen

A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS
A gas pump is seen in a car at a Shell gas station- File photo/ REUTERS

An explosion at a gas station triggered a massive fire in central Yemen, killing at least 15 people, health officials said Sunday.

The explosion occurred Saturday at the Zaher district in the province of Bayda. At least 67 others were injured, including 40 in critical condition.

The ministry said rescue teams were searching for those reported missing.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion, according to Reuters.

Footage circulated online showing a massive fire that sent columns of smoke into the sky and left vehicles charred and burning.

Bayda is controlled by Iranian-backed Houthis, who have been at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for more than a decade.

Elsewhere in Bayda, the Houthis attacked and looted Hanaka al-Masoud village in the al-Qurayshiya district last week, according to the internationally recognized government. It said there were fatalities but gave no figures.

Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the attack came after a weeklong siege of the village.

“This horrific attack targeted citizens’ homes and mosques, and resulted in many casualties, including women and children, and the destruction of property," he said.

The US Embassy in Yemen condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the "deaths, injuries, and wrongful detentions of innocent Yemenis perpetrated by Houthi terrorists are depriving the Yemeni people of peace and a brighter future."