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The black Iraqi gold is being wasted in Qayyara. This oil was in ISIS’ hands for two years, the group’s last natural resource in the country. ISIS militants set fire to the crude oil before leaving the town.
Crude oil is oozing into the alleys and neighborhoods of Qayyara. The burning oil has torched tens of houses and distressed inhabitants.
"Our only call is to end this disaster. Other neighborhoods are expected to catch fire, too. Please end it and put out this fire,” a local told Rudaw. "ISIS is gone. We want this disaster gone too."
There are 62 wells in the Qayyara oilfields.
ISIS exported approximately 10,000 barrels of oil per day from Qayyara, right up until the Iraqi army retook the Qayyara airbase on July 9.
Of the estimated 5 billion barrels of oil in oilfields in Nineveh Province, 2 billion were under ISIS control when the militants were in Qayyara.
Now, the residents of Qayyara and surrounding villages breathe in the thick smoke and the burning crude oil oozes through the alleyways.
"We contacted the oil ministry. They have sent their teams and the problem will soon be solved. We will also estimate its damages,” said an Iraqi army official.
ISIS’ ability to extract and sell oil in Iraq has been dramatically cut. The group’s main source of income now is in Syria where they produce and estimated 50,000 barrels of oil daily.
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