Syria

The conflict in Syria has included widespread attacks on oil facilities by numerous parties. Damage to urban areas has created vast quantities of debris and destroyed essential infrastructure, and fighting has regularly taken place in industrial areas. There has been a huge growth in artisanal oil refining in response to the destruction of oil facilities, while the massive displacement of its population has created environmental stress in neighbouring countries. Read the Syria briefing.

Publications

Report: Deforestation in conflict areas in 2020

Deforestation is a common problem for countries affected by conflict. In 2020, COVID-19 placed further constraints on forest management in these areas. This report reviews the latest satellite data on forest loss in seven countries, analysing the forces driving deforestation.

Country brief: Syria

A brief introductory overview of the environmental dimensions of the conflict in Syria, with facts, figures and further reading.

Blogs

Report highlights health and environmental impact of makeshift oil refineries in Syria

PAX report Scorched Earth and Charred Lives shows a sharp increase in the number of makeshift refineries in Syria’s oil rich Deir ez-Zor governorate, in the past four years, with the most recent analysis based on satellite images from June 2016. There are likely tens of thousands of makeshift refineries in the region, in which adults and an alarming number of children work.

Jordan grapples with the environmental consequences of its refugee crisis

Amidst the urgency of the humanitarian response to support those feeling Syria, the environmental footprint of these population surges has been less visible but, as Jordan is discovering, failing to address the impact of migration during response and recovery could have serious health, environmental and political consequences.

Twitter: #Syria

Great piece on the reverberating environmental consequences of armed conflicts, which are in no way limited in time and space to the frontlines. Jonathan and his team have recently undertaken an important study on heavy metal contamination in #Syria. 1/2 https://theconversation.com/warfare-ruins-the-environment-and-not-just-on-the-front-lines-218853

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