Baghdad police launch operation against generator operators who shut down power

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Security forces in Baghdad have launched a broad arrest operation against private generator operators who shut down their equipment in several neighborhoods despite government warnings, a security source said. The operators ignored official directives and left residents without electricity, according to the source. The source described the shutdowns as a challenge to the government and said operators had disregarded the livelihoods and safety of citizens. Police have begun detaining operators found to be operating without permits or in violation of licensing rules. Private generators in Baghdad typically supplement state electricity during the summer months, when demand surges and outages are frequent. Officials said legal action would be taken against operators carrying out unlicensed activity and disregarding government decisions. Checkpoints have been set up across the city to identify unlicensed generators, and inspections aimed at reducing public hardship from power cuts are expected to continue, according to the source.