Iraq Oil and Fire (2017)

Since last August, nineteen oil wells have been set on fire by Islamic State jihadists, to slow down the Iraqi forces in the offensive to take back control of Mosul. Only ten have been completely put out. Iraqi firefighters have been fighting every day for months to try to control the flames of the oil wells in the region. They work in disastrous conditions, columns of toxic fumes escape continuously, covering Qayyarah and its surroundings with a thick layer of soot. What are the health consequences and economic impact of burning oil wells? Iraq seems to have been struck once again by the oil curse.