Mosul: Fuel shortages are disrupting truck traffic in Nineveh and increasing congestion at Mosul entrances. The repercussions of the fuel crisis in Nineveh Governorate continue, directly impacting transportation and truck traffic amidst increasing congestion at the entrances to Mosul. This has prompted several truck drivers to express their frustration with the long waiting times and the difficulty in obtaining fuel.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Al-Shamsiyat checkpoint, one of the entrances to Mosul, witnessed severe traffic congestion after a large number of trucks gathered. The resulting traffic standstill increased waiting times and disrupted the livelihoods of drivers and truck owners. Truck driver Ali Al-Ramahi told the Iraqi National News Agency (NINA), “The fuel crisis has become a heavy burden on truck drivers.” He pointed out that “the long waiting times and congestion at filling stations and city entrances affect transportation and increase trip costs.”

Al-Ramahi noted that “driver
s need fuel continuously to continue their work and transport goods between cities,” explaining that “any delay in obtaining it affects arrival times and transportation fees, in addition to the time lost by drivers while waiting.” For his part, truck driver Mu’taz criticized the ongoing situation. Al-Bayati described the congestion at the entrances to Mosul, calling for addressing the root causes of the crisis and regulating truck traffic to alleviate the gridlock. He emphasized that “the continuation of the current situation exacerbates the suffering of drivers and impacts the movement of goods.”

Trucks are a vital component of transportation and trade in Nineveh, as markets rely on them to transport food, goods, building materials, and various necessities from other provinces to the province’s cities. This means any disruption to transportation will inevitably affect markets and consumers.

This crisis comes amidst repeated complaints about fuel shortages and long queues at filling stations, highlighting t
he growing need to regulate supply operations and ensure the smooth distribution of petroleum products, especially for trucks and vehicles that depend on fuel daily for their operations. Drivers believe that addressing the crisis requires increasing fuel supplies and regulating the distribution process, along with finding solutions to traffic congestion at city entrances to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce losses incurred by drivers due to waiting times and travel disruptions.

While the fuel crisis continues to strain various sectors in Nineveh, the transportation sector remains among the most affected due to its direct link to market activity and the provision of daily necessities.