Smoke Clouds in Akkar: Cause Linked to Scrap Metal Market

A correspondent from the "National News Agency" reported an increase in black smoke clouds in the Akkar plain area, which was later found to be due to the burning of large quantities of car tires near the railway in the outskirts of Kfar Melki, aimed at extracting copper, iron, and aluminum for sale in the scrap metal market. Khaled Al-Khaled, president of the Akkar Plain Municipal Union, condemned "these actions," especially since they are taking place in a residential and agricultural environment that is negatively affected by the smoke clouds, which have invaded homes, agricultural houses, and all lands and citrus orchards. He called on "security authorities to intervene quickly to suppress these violations and punish those responsible," hoping that "the civil defense will hasten to extinguish these tires." He expressed concern about "the fire spreading to nearby lands and properties."