Amidst the debris..

Looting
HAZARDS RELATED TO LOOTING
Human health risks from access to and contact with hazardous chemicals and wastes on
industrial sites can be particularly high during and after conflicts. Following the 2003 Iraq
War, UNEP found that extensive damage was done to industrial sites by widespread and
indiscriminate looting. Stored chemicals were dumped by looters, leading to direct exposures
and localised soil contamination in some cases facilities were burnt down after being looted.
At the Al Mishraq Sulphur State Company a large sulphur stockpile fire was caused by looting,
which led to regional land contamination and serious damage to human health and crops.
Other significant incidents included the looting of a refinery warehouse Al-Doura, which was
one of the largest stores of chemicals in Iraq, and the looting of the Al Tuwaitha nuclear site,
where civilians reused stolen radioactive barrels for water storage. UNEP estimated that more
than 5,000 tonnes of chemicals were spilled, burned or stolen, creating a serious risk to human
health and the environment 152 .
IN SYRIA: LOOTING
The conflict has so far seen widespread and indiscriminate looting by criminal groups, government
forces, and rebels, which extends from opportunistic looting to the plundering of national treasures
in historical sites, the seizure of oil fields and the looting of industrial facilities 153 . A Syrian
government source stated that in 2013 there are 33,000 industrial and manufacturing facilities
located in 44 industrial areas, all but one of which are controlled by rebel forces and many have
been damaged, as a result of looting, robbery, demolition and arson 154 . Former industrialist and
owner of a textile factory in Sheikh Najjar, Haj Waleed, claimed that factories had been plundered
by both rebels and pro-regime militias 155 . Even the Turkish government has been accused of
being involved in the looting of factories in Aleppo, stealing industrial equipment and transferring
it to Turkey 156 .
With some many factories having been looted, damaged or destroyed, it is inevitable that
hazardous substances have been released into the environment. With the collapse of state
security, many sites containing hazardous materials may have been left accessible. Any future
ground assessments should seek data on materials formerly held by facilities, past operations
and current status in order to identify hotspots of chemical contamination.
Conclusions
Pollution incidents from previous conflicts and the pattern of fighting and insecurity
in Syria indicate that environmental threats from may be widespread. The main acute risks
to health and environment are to be expected in areas with heavy industries, such as around
Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Adra. Soil, air and ground and surface water pollution will have a direct
and long-term impact on the environment, while civilians and workers on or near sites face
exposure to toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials. Beyond hotspot contamination from
damage to industrial sites, acute and chronic exposures to conflict rubble and wastes will be
widespread for both civilians and rescue workers.
PAX ! Amidst the debris...
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