Asia Becomes Victim of Arab War: Motorbikes Queue for Hours

Vehicle owners in Bangladesh have been queuing for hours to purchase fuel, as fears mount that conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, Gulf states, and Israel could trigger a serious fuel crisis.

According to Reuters reporting from 11 March 2026, many residents waited overnight at petrol stations in Dhaka to obtain fuel. Local authorities have implemented a government rationing system allowing cars and motorcycles to purchase fuel only in limited quantities.

Residents have expressed panic, with petrol station owners reporting they are facing intense pressure from surging demand. Bangladesh relies heavily on Middle Eastern energy supplies, importing approximately 95 per cent of its fuel oil and 70 per cent of its gas, primarily from the Middle East.

In response to the crisis, the Bangladesh government announced that six vessels carrying liquefied natural gas, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, and condensate have arrived at the main port of Chattogram from the Middle East and East Asian countries to ease the shortage. Additionally, five further vessels carrying LNG, LPG, and diesel are en route to Bangladesh.