Iraq has halted its crude oil shipments to Syria, according to a statement from Iraqi parliament member Mustafa Sanad, shared on social media and quoted by BNE Intellinews. The decision aligns with concerns expressed by Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussain, regarding the security situation in Syria, where Islamist groups have gained control.
“Iraq has decided to stop providing Syria with crude oil starting this month,” Sanad confirmed.
In a separate comment during an event in Baghdad, Foreign Minister Hussain voiced worries over the possible return of terrorist activities in Syria. “While we respect the Syrian people’s choices, we remain vigilant about the potential resurgence of terrorist organizations,” he said.
Syria has relied on Iraq for around 120,000 barrels of crude oil daily, and this suspension is expected to create a significant supply shortage. The situation is further complicated by a disruption in oil deliveries within Syria. The eastern region, controlled by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has halted crude exports to the rest of the country, which is governed by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, previously known as a terrorist organization with ties to Al-Qaeda during the Syrian civil war.
Compounding Syria’s energy crisis, crude oil supplies from Iran, which had been sending around 60,000 barrels daily, have also ceased. After a change in power in Syria earlier this month, one Iranian tanker even reversed course before reaching the Syrian coast. Syria’s own oil production, estimated at 80,000 barrels per day, comes primarily from eastern Syria, controlled by the SDF.
As a result of these supply disruptions, fuel prices in Syria have soared. Sources inside the country report that fuel stations are running out of stock, and transportation of gasoline and diesel from refineries has become increasingly difficult due to the current political instability.
Related Topics:
- Exxon and OPEC Warn of an Imminent Oil Supply Crisis
- Ignore Short-Term Fluctuations: Oil Prices Are Driven by Long-Term Trends
- Cuba’s Energy Crisis Triggers Unrest