IS spill oil inside town S. Mosul

IRBIL, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- The so-called Islamic State (IS) has recently spilled large quantities of crude oil inside neighborhoods of Qayyarah town in Mosul district, northeastern Iraq.
The oil began to spread around the town's streets, leak inside houses, and ignite in some squares causing fume clouds to rise, a source from the Iraqi Army near Qayyarah told KUNA Saturday, adding that some cases of suffocation among locals have been reported.
The number of suffocation cases is increasing significantly due to rising fumes, prompting an unprecedented environmental disaster in the town, the source, who asked not to be named, noted.
Meanwhile, Qayyarah's residents urged officials to carry out necessary measures to stop the oil spill from reaching further houses and streets, stressing the importance of quick response before the entire town drown.
The US-led international coalition has been increasing airstrikes against IS in southern Mosul, prompting the terrorist group to torch seven oil wells around Qayyarah thus causing the massive spill.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi announced few days ago the liberation of Qayyarah, considering it a major step towards the liberation of Mosul. (end) sbr.ma