BAGHDAD, Aug 9 (IslamOnline.net) - As power outage and appalling living conditions have been beleaguering the lives of Iraqis since U.S. troops rolled into Baghdad on April 9, famous Iraqi handicrafts are also feared to become a history.

Iraqi craftsmen are running low on production and raw materials due to incessant power outages since the U.S. launched its invasion on March 20.

"Power cuts and deplorable living conditions caused by the U.S.-led occupation forced a lot of tailors to depend on their outdated tools after they were used to using electric machines," Ali al-Haik, an Iraqi dress-maker, told IslamOnline.net Saturday, August 9.

"A lot of customers abstained from buying our hand-made products and buy cheap ready-made cloth they can afford instead," he added.

"Power outage added insult to injury by reducing our production despite our pains-taking efforts," he complained.

Fadel Rashid, another tailor, agrees: "Thus far, the continued power cuts since the U.S.-led occupation on April 9 have not only brought major industries to a standstill, but had its devastating impact on handicrafts as well."

Hassan Abdullah, who spent 40 years of his life in pottery, said the business was already stumbling because of the flood of utensils and food-preserving plastic-made packs that inundated the Iraqi market.

He accused the U.S.-led occupation of making the matters worse, adding that "some time-honored industries now belong to the museum."

For his part, Mahmmoud al-Hashmi, a sword and knife maker, said hand-made swords and knives are now owned by amateurs, since this handicraft needs very skillful and experienced people.

"All knives sold on the market now are ready-made and reasonably priced, which cut down the number of craftsmen," he added.

Rashid al-Gargh, a carpenter, said he started using time-saving electric machines to help mold wood, but sustained losses because of power outages.

Dr. Kareem Hassan, the head of the Iraqi electricity body, ruled out last month that resistance attacks were responsible for sabotaging power stations or that the occupation troops were punishing the Iraqis by cutting off electricity.

Hassan further held some "malicious people" accountable for the power outages.