Fuel shortage in Iraq causes queues at gas stations — Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraq, including Baghdad, Kirkuk, Babylon, Basra and most provinces of Iraqi Kurdistan, is facing an acute fuel shortage. Drivers are sometimes forced to wait for hours at gas stations, Asharq Al-Awsat reports. The crisis further complicates citizens’ situation amid deteriorating public services, reduced electricity supply hours, and delays in pension payments and salaries for public-sector employees.
Causes of the shortage
Iraq’s Ministry of Oil explained the accumulation of vehicles at gas stations by a gap between production and consumption. According to the ministry, average daily gasoline consumption stands at around 33 million liters, but rises to approximately 38 million liters during periods of public concern.
The ministry also cited increased demand, technical malfunctions that halted some production units at local oil refineries, and delays in imported fuel shipments among the factors. According to the ministry, regional tensions and the ongoing conflict have complicated tanker movements, their arrival and berthing at Iraqi ports.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Some observers link the crisis to the consequences of the war between the United States and Iran, in particular the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to Iraqi oil exports and imports. At the same time, sources close to the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi do not rule out possible deliberate actions within the Ministry of Oil that may have worsened the situation. They link this assumption to the recent arrests of ministry officials on accusations of embezzling billions of dinars and dollars.
The ministry’s position
Oil Minister Basim Mohammed al-Abadi said that petroleum products are available and that the temporary gasoline shortage is being addressed. According to him, additional supplies are expected to arrive soon. He also assured that the ministry controls the supply and distribution of petroleum products and is taking measures to stabilize the domestic market.
Separately, the Ministry of Oil denied reports of plans to export gasoline, emphasizing that its priority task is to achieve self-sufficiency. Iraq already exports fuel oil and naphtha, and previously supplied aviation fuel and sulfur abroad.
