War in Iran has caused fuel troubles for much of the world. In Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region, the shortage hits hard.
In the city of Irbil, drivers wait in line for hours at gas stations. Some even wait overnight. By Tuesday, most private gas stations had closed. Only a handful of state-run stations still sell fuel.
Iraq’s Kurdistan is considered semiautonomous. It is within Iraq’s borders, but has its own regional government. Its people, the Kurds, are indigenous (native) to the area. They have their own culture and language. This region borders Iran.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has spilled across that border. Iraqi militia groups, backed by Iran, attacked American facilities in Iraq. In return, the U.S. military struck Iraqi militia bases.
Dana Gas, the largest fuel company in northern Iraq, has been forced to reduce production due to security threats linked to the war.
While drivers wait for gas, midmorning temperatures reach 113° Fahrenheit. But many people crack their windows instead of turning on air conditioning. AC uses fuel. They want to make every gallon last as long as possible.
Twana Mohammed, a biology teacher, spent four days searching for fuel. He parked his car in line at night, went home, and then came back in the morning. “There’s no fuel left in my car,” he says. “It will be good if it makes it to the gas station.”
People have to leave work to wait at gas stations. As heat and frustration grow, sometimes shouting matches break out.
“Every five minutes we move forward a little bit, then turn the engine off, wait for five minutes, and move forward again,” says Abdullah Hamad, a car dealer. He finds it ironic to face fuel shortages in Iraq. Much oil lies beneath the country’s soil.
Stations limit families to one 10.5-gallon fill-up per week. The government ordered gas stations to lower fuel prices. But that just made the problem worse. Many private stations chose to stop selling gas altogether rather than sell it at government-set prices.
When nations fight, ordinary people feel the consequences. So do their neighbors. Iraq’s Kurds didn’t start Iran’s war. But they still face the crunch of war-driven fuel shortages. We can pray for those feeling the effects of the conflict.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10