Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi stated on Thursday that the current government came after 17 years of chaos and corruption, emphasizing that the country was on the brink of civil war due to clashes with militants. He pledged to prevent undisciplined groups from terrorizing voters, asserting that Iraq chose the path of inclusivity to conduct elections in a secure environment. He also announced that the electrical connection with Gulf countries would be completed in 2022.
**State prestige was lost**
In an interview broadcast by state television, he stressed that the prestige of the state in Iraq was lost before the formation of the government. He also noted that a confrontation was possible between Washington and Tehran in Iraq during President Donald Trump’s administration, pointing out that the aim of indiscriminate rockets against diplomatic missions is escalation. Additionally, he confirmed that his government faced a range of challenges and attempts to obstruct reform over the months, indicating that there are tensions wanting to turn Iraq into a battleground for conflicts between countries.
**Encouragement for elections amid threats**
It is worth mentioning that Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi directed all security forces to intensify efforts to provide a healthy and safe environment for citizens and candidates, as the upcoming elections approach, aiming to encourage widespread citizen participation. The Prime Minister stated that the current government reached a good stage in electricity generation, but there are repeated and deliberate attacks on electricity towers in several provinces, which affect the supply of electricity and exacerbate citizens' suffering.
Local media reported that the intensity of attacks carried out by unknown individuals or elements from ISIS aimed at sabotaging electricity towers in Iraq had escalated within a new tactic intended to pressure local authorities. Iraqi security forces face significant challenges in stopping attacks targeting energy facilities in the provinces of Anbar, Diyala, Salah al-Din, as well as in the Jurf al-Sakhar area south of the capital Baghdad, due to their location in remote and uninhabited areas, which facilitates the movement of ISIS elements.
Typically, the Ministry of Electricity secures electricity towers through security forces, but the vast areas covered by these towers have led it to rely on some farmers and tribes living closest to these towers.
