Iraqi Protesters Block Entrance to Nasiriyah Oil Refinery, Cause Fuel Shortage

For the fifth day in a row, dozens of Iraqi demonstrators have blocked the entrance to the Nasiriyah oil refinery in southern Iraq, according to a refinery source and a Reuters witness.

The blockade triggered fuel shortages in Dhi Qar's southern province, with several petrol stations running dry and long lines at the few remaining stations.

When the Iraqi parliament passed the budget on Wednesday without discussing their unemployment problem, more than 200 unemployed university graduates who had staged a weeks-long sit-in outside the refinery to demand jobs blocked the entrance and prevented employees from entering the building.

Following the refinery's closure, the province was unable to produce and process crude oil and oil derivatives, according to the refinery, which has a maximum production capacity of 30,000 barrels per day (bpd).

The closure would “cause fuel shortages in the province... if the closure persists, car movement will come to a complete halt,” according to the statement.