Syria, oil smuggling poisoning the Euphrates River

Oil smuggling in the north-east, between Kurds and the Syrian Democratic Forces, has triggered a health and environmental emergency. Medical sources report severe damage in the elderly, children and the chronically ill. The traffickers only interest of the is to "get more money" from the sale, to the detriment of the local population. 

Damascus (AsiaNews) - In north-eastern Syria, in the area bordered by the Euphrates River, the inhabitants report the dramatic consequences of water pollution. The emergency is linked to oil spills, resulting from the smuggling of crude oil between areas controlled by the Kurds and those under the Damascus government. Local sources report spills of the black gold spotted along the banks, with a higher concentration in areas patrolled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). 

The Euphrates, the longest river in Western Asia and once the main source of drinking water for several Syrian provinces, is experiencing an ecological catastrophe linked to the soaring level of pollutants. The river flows for 610 kilometres from the city of Jarablus to the border with Turkey, passing through Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, ending in al-Bukamal and flowing into Iraqi territory.

Experts see many causes for its degradation, from instability in north-east Syria disputed between different armed organisations - and under constant threat of invasion from Ankara - to deteriorating living conditions. Recently, spills have emerged on the banks, linked to leaks of oil derivatives near smuggling points, where fuel is illegally transported to areas under Syrian government control on the opposite bank.

In addition, rebel forces frequently target oil pipelines on the other side, contributing to water pollution that has already resulted in the death of huge numbers of fish and other animals in the area.

A doctor from the eastern suburbs of Deir ez-Zor, on condition of anonymity, explains to al-Monitor that 'the spilling of large quantities of oil derivatives into the Euphrates directly threatens the lives of the inhabitants, especially those who depend on the river as their main source of drinking water and for irrigation'. This, he adds, is causing 'poisonings' among the elderly, children and people with chronic illnesses 'not to mention the spread of many diseases, including hepatitis, fever, dysentery, abdominal pain, internal infections'.

This is an alarming reality and one that has prompted doctors and health experts to address residents urging them to purify their water before using it. The source added that in addition to pollution of the Euphrates River, gases from primitive crude oil refining processes pollute the air and spread respiratory and digestive diseases, along with cancers, premature births, miscarriages and birth defects.

Mohammed Taha, a resident of Shuhail, says that in many cases the spillage of oil slicks and other pollutants are linked to the heedless behaviour of traffickers, whose only interest is to 'get more money' from the sale. "The Syrian Democratic Forces," he continues, "could quickly stop the smuggling operations by cutting the pipelines connecting the area to the Syrian regime-controlled side and burning the river ferries used for transport. But this is not happening' even in light of their direct involvement in the traffic. Fadel Abdul Ghani, head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, condemns the SDF's "complicity" with the smugglers, thus showing "total disregard" for the lives of civilians.