Kirkuk Residents Continue Protests Over Rising Private Generator Electricity Prices

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Protests by residents in Kirkuk against rising electricity prices charged by private diesel generators continued on Monday, with demonstrations escalating into confrontations in several areas of the city.

Protesters blocked roads with burning tires and barricades, disrupting traffic and vowing to remain in the streets until authorities address their demands.

Kurdistan24's correspondent in Kirkuk reported that demonstrations have spread as residents protest the increased cost of generator-supplied electricity, with tensions rising between protesters and authorities.

Residents told Kurdistan24 that the price of one ampere of generator electricity has climbed to 13,000 Iraqi dinars. They also complained that some generator owners had shut down their generators, cutting off electricity supplies and further aggravating the situation.

"Prices of goods and basic necessities have increased, and now the cost of generator electricity has also risen. Protests have been ongoing for days, but the governor is unaware of people's demands," one protester told Kurdistan24.

The protester also cited financial pressures resulting from charges at checkpoints and customs points, saying they were affecting both traders and residents.

Footage captured by Kurdistan24 at the protest sites showed demonstrators setting tires ablaze and erecting barricades to block roads.

Protesters said they would not reopen the roads or end their demonstrations until officials formally respond to their demands and introduce a fair solution to the rising cost of electricity provided by private generators.