VOICED : Iraqi firefighters battle to tame IS oil well fires

In the outskirts of Kiara, south of Mosul, sheep have turned black due to smoke from oil fields set ablaze by retreating Islamic State fighters. This has threatened local livelihoods as the market for sheep has collapsed. Efforts to extinguish the fires are ongoing, with only two of nineteen wells put out so far. The fires pose significant health risks to nearby residents and have severe environmental impacts, producing pollutants that affect air quality and health. The UN highlights the dangers of these pollutants, which include skin irritation and respiratory issues.

What has caused the sheep in Kiara to turn black?

What impact has the Islamic State group had on the infrastructure of Iraq according to the text?

What challenges do firefighters face when trying to extinguish the oil well fires?

How has the smoke from the oil fires affected the health of local residents?

What are the environmental consequences of the crude oil fires mentioned in the text?