Baghdad drivers face parking crunch as vehicle count nears 4 million

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Drivers in Baghdad are struggling to find legal parking spaces, with the capital's vehicle count nearing 4 million and official lots failing to keep pace, according to residents. Many motorists said they have been forced to leave their cars on sidewalks and vacant lots, where they sometimes face traffic fines or unauthorized fees from informal operators. While the official parking rate is set at 3,000 dinars, drivers reported being charged as much as 5,000 dinars at some locations, particularly during evening hours when lots fill up. The Baghdad Operations Command announced that 14 parking areas operating outside the rules have been shut down. Baghdad Municipality spokesperson Adi Jandal said the 3,000-dinar fee is the only legal rate and that any higher charge constitutes a violation. He said the municipality is working to open new parking facilities on both the Karkh and Rusafa sides of the capital. Earlier this year, the operations command set the official parking fee at 3,000 dinars and the vehicle sale contract fee at 50,000 dinars.