DUHOK, Kurdistan Region - Thirteen oil refineries operate from dusk until dawn in the Kuashi industrial area in Duhok province, producing hazardous gases and releasing chemicals into the air, pushing the residents to leave the area.
Over the past four years, more than 100 families have left the area.
Sadiq Badr, a retired Peshmerga, has owned a house here for six years. He has now put it up for sale due to the poisonous and chemical emissions from Kuashi, and he is planning to leave.
"Due to this [situation], we have put our houses up for sale. Those who can leave do so; those who can't have no choice but to stay," Badr said.
These refineries operate without adhering to proper regulations and guidelines, allowing the unmonitored release of poisonous gases and chemicals.
Zeravan Sofi, public sector employee, said, "From midnight until morning, I wake up two to three times because of the strong odor from Kuashi. I have to get up and turn on the air conditioner to try and filter out the smell, so it doesn't harm my family and children."
As the sun slowly rises, the flames from the factories begin to wane. This industrial area is located about four kilometers from the center of Duhok and approximately five kilometers from the northern part of the Semel district.