Queues stretching for hours… The subsidized gasoline crisis is suffocating Duhok
Queues stretching for hours… The subsidized gasoline crisis is suffocating Duhok
2026-09-13
Shafaq News – Duhok
On Sunday, Duhok Governorate witnessed long queues in front of gas stations, with the number of cars in one station exceeding 800, amid drivers waiting for hours to obtain subsidized gasoline.
A number of drivers told Shafaq News Agency that they had started queuing since yesterday to get fuel, while the distribution process did not begin at a number of stations until noon, which led to hundreds of cars remaining in queues for long periods.
The drivers pointed out that the long waiting period prompted some of them to stay in their places for hours, while others were forced to spread out blankets to sleep on the side of the road, due to the continued queues and the lack of clarity regarding when fuel distribution would begin.
Driver Saleh Mohammed explained that he had arrived at the queue last night, and left his car for a short time before returning early this morning to continue his turn, noting that the fuel distribution process did not begin until noon.
Mohammed added that waiting has become exhausting for drivers, explaining that the waiting time varies from time to time, and may reach five, six or seven hours, and sometimes it is less than that.
He went on to say that subsidized gasoline is of better quality compared to commercial gasoline, explaining that using commercial fuel caused malfunctions in his car on two occasions.
For his part, driver Karzan Khurshid said that the high prices of commercial gasoline have made obtaining subsidized fuel a necessity for many drivers, especially with the rising cost of living.
According to Khurshid, drivers have to wait for long periods in front of gas stations to get their share of subsidized gasoline, stressing that the quality of this fuel is better than commercial fuel, according to his experience.
According to the drivers, the high prices of commercial gasoline have made subsidized fuel the most suitable option for them, especially given its lower price and quality, they said.
This crisis comes as the new school year approaches, amid expectations of increased fuel demand due to the increased movement of cars, buses, and student transportation to schools, universities, and kindergartens.
The capital Baghdad and most Iraqi provinces have been experiencing a gasoline supply crisis for weeks, following a temporary improvement in the markets last month, amid continued fuel shortages affecting several areas in the country.
Earlier this month, Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed al-Abadi confirmed that work was underway to address the shortage of gasoline, and indicated that shipments of gasoline would soon arrive in Iraq.
shafaq.com
