Penjwen Mayor Zana Abdulrahman told Kurdsat English that they had refused to receive fuel at 103,000 Iraqi Dinars (IQD) and asked [government] to reduce the price, but they were told that the price would not be reduced." Many people in the mountainous regions of the Kurdistan region complain of the high prices for one barrel of oil and have resorted to firewood to heat their homes in the winter.

Despite the high price, the mayor noted that they have requested to be supplied with fuel and may receive loads in the next 20 days. The mayor said it is up to the people to decide whether to buy the fuel. Abdulrahman explained that Penjwen needs 2.6 million to 3 million liters of white kerosene.

People of the neighboring Saidsadiq district also refused to accept the government-subsidized fuel at 103,000 IQD. Despite the people’s frustration with the pricing, they have asked the Sulaimani Oil and Minerals Directorate to provide them with oil for the winter, per Said Sadiq mayor Diyari Rafiq. The Saidsaqid mayor told KurdSat English that trucks of white kerosene might reach the district next week and have eligible 22,000 families to receive the subsided fuel. 

Only one barrel is provided to families, while most families burn over four barrels of kerosene in winter, according to unofficial figures. 

The fuel price has increased almost fourfold since previous years. In 2020 one barrel of government-subsidized white kerosine was 30,000 IQD, while now it stands at 103,000 IQD. Although the fuel is subsidized, its prices make it unattractive as people in rural regions of the Kurdistan region live primarily on agriculture and have less per capita income compared to the urban areas.