Iraqis queue for fuel as regional war disrupts imports

Drivers formed long lines outside fuel stations in Baghdad on Saturday as gasoline supplies dropped in Iraq due to import disruptions caused by the Middle East war. Despite being OPEC's second-largest oil producer, Iraq imports oil derivatives because its refineries do not produce enough gasoline to meet domestic demand. In recent weeks, as regional hostilities drag on, long queues have been appearing every few days, mostly outside government-run fuel stations in Baghdad and other provinces. The oil ministry said Friday that "regional events and the ongoing conflict are causing logistical challenges to tanker traffic, delaying their arrival at Iraqi ports". Reporting by AFP