Kurdistan Environment Commission Shuts Down Dozens of Illegal Oil Refineries Amid Crackdown on Pollution
"The enforcement measures have led to the closure of 59 illegal refineries in Erbil and 13 more in Duhok," said Bayan Sami Abdul-Rahman Kurdistan Region PM's Advisor.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Environment Commission has announced the closure of 72 unlicensed oil refineries across the region, signaling a decisive step in the government's push to address environmental degradation and air pollution.
Sana'an Abdullah, Director of the Environmental Awareness and Media Office and spokesperson for the KRG Environment Committee, told Kurdistan24 that the closures are part of an ongoing operation targeting illegal energy operations that violate environmental regulations.
“Since 2024, a total of 72 illegal refineries have been shut down across the Kurdistan Region out of 138 known facilities,” Abdullah confirmed. He added that the remaining sites must comply with the environmental guidelines established in 2020 or face similar enforcement actions.
Erbil and Duhok Under Scrutiny
According to Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, the enforcement measures have led to the closure of 59 illegal refineries in Erbil and 13 more in Duhok.
Speaking to reporters, Abdul Rahman stressed that the crackdown is being conducted in direct accordance with a decision by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who has made the fight against environmental pollution a central pillar of his government’s agenda.
“Legal measures will be taken against anyone responsible for polluting the environment,” she affirmed, noting the Prime Minister's continued efforts to combat climate change and mitigate its consequences through specialized projects and regulatory frameworks.
Government Action Rooted in Environmental Policy
On Jan. 12, 2025, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a high-level meeting dedicated to addressing air pollution in Erbil and Duhok. The Prime Minister emphasized that environmental protection remains a cornerstone of the KRG’s governance strategy, describing clean air and a healthy ecosystem as national duties and collective responsibilities.
PM Barzani instructed all relevant institutions to take immediate and concrete measures to prevent environmental harm and punish violators in accordance with the law.
Resolutions from the January Meeting
- The meeting concluded with a set of decisive directives aimed at reversing environmental damage and ensuring compliance across sectors:
- Immediate Legal Action: Any refinery or factory operating in violation of environmental standards and contributing to pollution is to face swift legal consequences.
- Fuel and Emission Restrictions: It is strictly prohibited to produce or smuggle contaminated automobile fuel, and steps must be taken to curb associated gas flaring in oil fields.
- Generator Regulations: Owners of private electricity generators are required to install sound filters and pollution-reduction systems. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply.
- Water Safety in Agriculture: The use of polluted water or untreated sewage for irrigating vegetables is strictly banned.
Toward a Sustainable Kurdistan
With rising public concern over air quality and environmental health, the KRG has placed green governance and environmental safety at the forefront of its policy agenda. The ongoing campaign against unregulated refineries is being lauded as a tangible move toward sustainability, signaling a firm stance against practices that endanger public health and the region’s natural beauty.
