Oil Spill on Kirkuk-Sulaymaniyah Road Disrupts Traffic in Kirkuk

KIRKUK, Iraq — A large oil leak from a pipeline in Kirkuk spread onto the main road between Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday evening, affecting traffic near the city’s eastern Derwaze neighborhood. A local source said part of the old, long-used line was damaged because sections had worn down, allowing black crude to escape from the pipeline. Teams were sent to the area to stop the flow and prevent the oil from spreading farther along the roadside. Civil defense crews and technical staff from oil institutions began work to contain the spill and keep traffic moving. The source said no injuries or material damage were reported, but the area was left with environmental pollution. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the leak and assess the damage.