A severe oil crisis affecting areas under the control of the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen has reinvigorated the black market, according to the local sources.
The northern cities, including the capital Sanaa, have been facing a severe oil shortage since Thursday and the situation is getting worse, a local, who wished to remain anonymous, told Anadolu Agency in a phone call.
Lengthy lines of cars have been waiting in front of oil stations to buy oil, which is now only available on the black market, the resident said.
According to the news in media outlets close to the Houthis, police forces launched an operation against those who control fuel sales and stockpile in breach of the laws.
Houthi officials claimed the fuel crisis erupted as the Yemeni government, backed by the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia, blocked the entry of 15 fuel tankers to the Port of Hudeyde.
The Yemeni government denied the claims and accused Houthis of trying to take advantage of the fuel crisis.
Yemen has been devastated by a conflict that escalated in March 2015 after Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to flee the country.
By Sibel Morrow
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr