ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil’s internal security forces on Thursday announced they closed several illegal refineries and arrested the operators as part of an ongoing effort to curb toxic air pollution, a persistent issue despite repeated crackdowns over the years.
The Asayish directorate led "a search and follow-up campaign of several refineries” resulting in the closure of an unspecified number of operations that were not following regulations.
They also arrested some refinery owners and employees.
“By installing a second refinery inside their own refineries, they produce low-quality gasoil and release toxic gases into the environment that are very harmful,” the Asayish said in a Facebook post.
Erbil has one of the highest levels of air pollution in Iraq, Deputy Environment Minister Jassim al-Falahi told Rudaw in April.
Illegal refineries are a part of the problem.
In 2017, the Kurdistan Region’s natural resources ministry announced the closure of dozens of these refineries. Similar measures have been taken in subsequent years, but the effort to eliminate them has proven Sisyphean, with operations continuing to resurface across the region.
In August, Erbil authorities shut down around 60 illegal refineries following a directive from Governor Omed Khoshnaw to combat air pollution caused by the burning of toxic fuels in vehicles, generators, and other machinery.
They were part of more than 100 illegal refineries that were ordered to cease operations, Many are located on the road leading to Gwer, east of Erbil. Masoud Nuri, the mayor of Gwer, confirmed that 10 refineries in his subdistrict were immediately closed as part of the crackdown.
Also in August, legal facilities were given 10 days to comply with environmental regulations.
Officials and industrialists have faced increasing calls to clean up the Kurdistan Region because of the toxic emissions from refineries and other polluters.
Both legal and illegal operations exist throughout the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and have steadily grown in number since the United States toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. They have had a devastating impact on the environment and public health.
