Iraqis protest in Basra over power cut amid high temperature

People took to streets Monday in the southern Iraqi province of Basra, and blocked roads to protest against power cuts that left many without electricity in 50C heat, Arab News reported.

The demonstrators burned tires, blocking the main road to the provincial capital.

The protests, the Saudi media notes, began after the collapse of the electricity grid in six southern provinces due to excessive demand amid high temperatures. Basra Gov. Asaad Al-Eidani reportedly said the latest cuts were due to a fire at a power station.

In the holy city of Najaf, a weapons depot, belonging to the Iran-backed Hashd Al-Shaabi network of paramilitary groups, exploded in the heat, Arab News also reported.