Gasoline Crisis Hits Basra and Raises Fears of Wider Impact in Iraq

Basra is witnessing an escalating gasoline crisis as long queues of vehicles continue to form outside fuel stations, highlighting a sharp shortage in supplies and the inability of current distribution systems to meet rising demand.

Despite being Iraq’s main oil-producing province, the situation is increasingly disrupting daily life and transportation.

Officials at the Oil Products Distribution Company said the gasoline crisis stems from reduced supply volumes, forcing several stations to operate below capacity.

They noted that resolving the issue will take time, with fuel imports seen as the most practical solution to bridge the current gap.

As part of emergency measures to ease the gasoline crisis, ten fuel tankers were dispatched from the Shuaiba refinery to stations across Basra, aiming to reduce congestion and long waiting times faced by motorists.

Fuel station workers warned that the ongoing shortages could signal a broader national problem if supply constraints persist.

They added that premium gasoline delivered from the Karbala refinery covers only a fraction of actual demand, resulting in unstable and fluctuating daily supplies.