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Rising Deaths Due to Oil Distillation Units in Deir ez-Zor

The village of "Abu Nital" in northern Deir ez-Zor, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has recorded a tragic increase in the number of deaths due to inhalation of toxic gases from one of the primitive "oil distillation units," with the total reaching five people after two additional deaths were reported last Wednesday.
According to local sources, the story began when three individuals were injured after inhaling toxic gases, leading to their deaths, while two others were transferred to a hospital in the town of "Al-Sour," before being moved again to a private hospital in the city of "Al-Basirah," where they succumbed to their injuries.
Reports indicate that many workers in the "distillation units" suffer from respiratory health issues due to continuous exposure to gases produced through primitive oil refining methods, which are employed to obtain fuels sold in markets in areas controlled by the SDF in northeastern Syria.
Medical sources have reported that working or residing near the "distillation units" significantly contributes to an increase in cancer cases in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, highlighting the health risks faced by the residents.
"Oil distillation units" are randomly spread across several villages and towns in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, operating with permission from the SDF. These units rely on sourcing crude oil from fields controlled by the SDF, which they then process and refine into products such as diesel and gasoline, selling them to the "Autonomous Administration" or to merchants and smugglers.
These distillation units pose a threat to the lives of residents due to the harmful smoke and odors emitted from them, leading to significant damage to the respiratory system. Additionally, reports have confirmed that emissions from these units have resulted in a decline in agricultural production in the surrounding areas, exacerbating the environmental crisis in the region.
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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