Iraq oil fires could jeopardize Mosul mission, officials say
WASHINGTON — A fire at one of Iraq’s oil fields could hinder military and humanitarian efforts as operations to recapture the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul get underway.
Black smoke continues to billow into the air from the Qayara oil field, damaged by ISIS militants last month as they fled the town, creating health risks for civilians and troops amassing there.
The fires also are clogging up the skies in the area, where airstrikes and aerial reconnaissance missions are taking place almost daily.
Located on the west bank of the Tigris River, about 40 miles south of Mosul, Qayara has since become an important staging ground for military and humanitarian efforts ahead of the Mosul operation since it was recaptured by Iraqi forces last month.
“Stabilizing Qayara can’t wait — it has to happen now,” said Lise Grande, the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator for Iraq.
“Everything for the Mosul operation hinges on Qayara,” she said. “It’s the staging ground for military forces and it’s where 350,000 of the 1 million people who are expected to flee (Mosul) will either find shelter or pass through.”
There are slow-going Iraqi efforts to contain the fires, but nearly a month after the town was recaptured from the militants, smoke and toxic fumes continue to pollute the air in and around Qayara.
Assem Jihad, spokesman for the Iraqi Oil Ministry, said this week that ISIS militants set fire to 11 oilwells in Qayara to derail security forces and wreak havoc in the area as they fled. He said fires at nine of the wells have been extinguished, but two continue to burn powerfully.
“It does cause some problems. It certainly doesn’t stop anything,” said Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for the U.S.-led military coalition in Baghdad, said. “The Iraqis have asked for coalition help to determine what can be done to put those fires out. We’ll do what we can to support them.”