Fuelling the Islamic State economy
Residents of Kafr Hamra, a town in rural Aleppo, refine crude oil in makeshift cottage refineries in warehouses and backyards for heating, operating bakeries and even running cars, just like most locals across rebel-held areas of Syria.
The state no longer pumps gasoline to areas in rebel hands, and civilians have resorted to buying crude oil from armed groups who have taken over major oil producing areas in the east since 2012.
Men manage a makeshift oil refinery in the Aleppo countryside.
Fuel is processed inside a makeshift refinery.
A man pours crude oil into a tank.
A man pours refined fuel from a barrel inside a damaged, non-functioning petrol station.
A pick-up truck carries fuel barrels for sale.
Barrels of fuel are displayed for sale inside a defunct petrol station.
A boy walks past barrels of fuel.
Barrels of fuel are displayed inside a damaged petrol station.
A man drains refined fuel from a barrel.
Children warm themselves next to an open fire beside fuel barrels, engine oil and accessories for sale.
A man pours fuel from a barrel inside his vehicle.
A man rides a motorcycle past a fuel vendor.
Barrels filled with fuel are displayed for sale on the street.
