Syrians Improvise Fuel Tricks, From Naphthalene to Oil Blends, Amid Gasoline Crisis
Facing a worsening gasoline shortage, some Syrians are resorting to unconventional substitutes to keep vehicles and generators running, most notably naphthalene and mixtures of blended oils, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
Key points
- Syrians are improvising homemade substitutes amid a severe gasoline crisis
- Naphthalene and blends of different oils are among the reported methods
- The report documents the phenomenon without judging safety or legality
- The crisis is pushing households and workshop owners to creative workarounds
What fuel tricks are Syrians using in the gasoline crisis?
A report by Al Jazeera documents how Syrians are inventing unusual ways to cope with the current gasoline crisis, including turning to naphthalene and mixtures based on blending different types of oils, in an attempt to offset fuel scarcity in the markets.Syria, a country emerging from more than a decade of war, has faced recurring fuel and electricity shortages that shape daily life. Many residents depend on their vehicles for commuting and work, while workshop and generator owners rely on fuel to keep their businesses running.
- Naphthalene cited as one alternative in the report
- Mixtures based on blending different oils with fuel
- Methods the report itself describes as unusual
Why are people turning to these methods?
The scarcity and cost of gasoline make reliable access a heavy burden for families, pushing some toward improvised solutions using whatever materials are at hand. Such behavior has recurred in Syria whenever fuel and electricity crises have intensified in recent years.These workarounds are not limited to one group; from car owners to generator and workshop operators, many are trying to manage with available materials, even when the methods fall far outside the norm, as the report documents.
What does this mean for Syrians?
Inside the country, the crisis is forcing people to secure fuel on their own terms, while Syrians abroad follow the deterioration of energy services affecting their relatives with growing concern.Notably, the report documented the phenomenon without assessing the safety or legality of these methods, leaving open questions about potential damage to vehicles and risks to those who use them.
Frequently asked questions
What alternatives to gasoline are Syrians using?
According to an Al Jazeera report, some Syrians are resorting to substitutes such as naphthalene and mixtures that blend different types of oils, attempting to cope with the current fuel scarcity.
Are these fuel substitutes safe or legal?
The report documenting the phenomenon did not evaluate the safety or legality of these methods. Potential risks to vehicles and to users' safety remain open questions that call for caution.
Why are Syrians improvising fuel alternatives?
Gasoline scarcity and difficulty obtaining it are pushing residents — from car owners to generator operators — to invent improvised workarounds with available materials to keep daily life running.
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