The local administration in Giruez (Qahtaniya) Subdistrict has temporarily resolved the issue of lack of electricity by providing a number of small generators, after complaints were voiced by residents, who are mostly IDP returnees.
Last week a number of the subdistrict’s residents requested the government and NGOs through KirkukNow to help them restore basic services in their subdistrict, in order to be able to stay and prevent renewed displacement.
The assaults by ISIS and the war between them and Iraqi forces has left power lines to Giruzer in ruins. That’s why the subdistrict is reliant on small generators that generate a low-current feed sufficient only for light bulbs and phone chargers, not larger electric appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners and electric fans.
After we talked to a number of media outlets, KirkukNow among them, about the electricity problem, thankfully the YBŞ [Shingal Resistance Units] responded and gave us 10 generators
The subdistrict's administration head, Jalal Khalaf, told KirkukNow: “After we talked to a number of media outlets, KirkukNow among them, about the electricity problem, thankfully the YBŞ [Shingal Resistance Units] responded and gave us 10 generators."
Shingal Resistance Units (YBŞ) consist of Yazidi militants and was set up by the PKK during the assaults on Shingal by ISIS.
Majority of Shingal District’s residents (including those of Giruzer subdistrict) were displaced six years ago due to the assaults by ISIS. Even though the region has been retaken from ISIS for several years now, only a small number of residents have returned.
Ghanim Qasim, who has returned to Giruez two weeks ago, told KirkukNow: “The subdistrict’s administration has provided us with generators (one for every 10 familes) which will somewhat solve the biggest problem we have, which is [lack of] electricity. We can at least operate refrigerators for cold water in this heat.”
Qasim requests the government to fully resolve the issue by repairing the national grid cables, because, he says, more and more displaced residents are coming back, thus generators will not be adequate for the electricity demand soon.
The Giruzer subdistrict encompasses three twins and more 15 villages.
“Until now, the feed was only meant for light bulbs and phone chargers, but now refrigerators and air conditioners could be operated,” Khalaf said and added that the YBŞ has promised them help until the national grid lines are repaired.
Next to electricity lines, most of Giruez’s infrastructure has been destroyed, which is the reason that until July 2019 no family had returned to the subdistrict.
Majority of Giruez residents are Yazidis, the minority that suffered the most in terms of lives and property from ISIS assaults. Next to mass murder and the disappearance of thousands including women and children, more than 300,000 Yazidis lost theirs homes and/or were displaced.
The Shingal District is located about 120 KM west of the city of Mosul. It fell under ISIS control on 3 August 2014, and was retaken from ISIS by December 2015.
