logo
Kurdistan oil fields targeted for third day in a row in drone attacks

Kurdistan oil fields targeted for third day in a row in drone attacks

Rudaw Net16-07-2025
Also in Kurdistan
KRG cabinet to address financial crisis amid new round of meetings with Baghdad
KRG ministry condemns drone strikes on Duhok oil fields as operations halt
Archaeologists unearth over 6,000-year-old settlement near Erbil
KRG minister slams Baghdad for failing to uphold constitutional obligations
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An oil field in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province was targeted in a drone attack early Wednesday morning, according to the Kurdish counterterrorism forces, marking the third consecutive day of such attacks on the Region's energy infrastructure.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT, said that 'between 6:00 and 6:15 am, the DNO oil field in Peshkhabur, located within the Zakho Independent Administration, was targeted by two explosive-laden drones.'
The Kurdish counterterrorism forces added that 'at 7:00 am, another explosive-laden drone targeted the DNO oil field in Tawke,' also within the Zakho Independent Administration, causing 'material damage to the oil fields, but no casualties.'
The attacks come a day after a drone attack on Tuesday targeted the Sarsang oil field in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province, operated by the US-based HKN Energy, which holds a 62 percent stake in the field.
In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, HKN Energy confirmed that 'an explosion occurred' around 7:00 am local time. 'All personnel have been safely accounted for, and no injuries have been reported,' the company said, adding that 'operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured and a full evaluation is completed.'
On Monday, two explosive-laden drones targeted the Khurmala oil field, southwest of Erbil. According to a security source speaking to Rudaw that day, the drones were intercepted by US-led coalition forces. No injuries were reported in that incident either.
The Kurdistan Region Presidency on Tuesday strongly condemned 'the drone strikes on infrastructure and various locations within the Kurdistan Region,' urging the federal government in Baghdad to take urgent measures to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
On the same day, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) natural resources ministry denounced the incidents as 'terrorist attacks' against the Region's economic infrastructure.
The Iraqi presidency, premiership and parliament on Tuesday also condemned the incidents, calling them a flagrant assault on national security and stability.
Drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region have increased since the outbreak of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that began on June 13 and ended with a US-brokered ceasefire.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry in early July accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge dismissed by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US congressman seeks to block Iraq funding over ‘terrorist militias' attacks
US congressman seeks to block Iraq funding over ‘terrorist militias' attacks

Rudaw Net

time20 minutes ago

  • Rudaw Net

US congressman seeks to block Iraq funding over ‘terrorist militias' attacks

A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Congressman Joe Wilson on Tuesday announced a renewed effort to block American funding to Iraq, accusing Baghdad of financially supporting 'terrorist militias' aligned with Iran - groups he claims are behind recent drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region. In a statement on X, Wilson said, 'I will work toward PROHIBITION on funding to Iraq while it funds these terrorist militias' which 'launch more drones today against our appreciated friends in the [Kurdistan Regional Government] KRG, as well as U.S. troops, and work with the head of the snake Iran to destabilize Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. 'This cannot be tolerated anymore,' he charged, pledging to push for the 'rightful designation' of these groups 'as TERRORIST organizations.' The Kurdistan Region has endured nearly 20 drone and rocket attacks in recent weeks, including on its energy infrastructure. The latest occurred on Monday, when an explosive-laden drone crashed in Erbil's western Khabat district. No casualties were reported, according to Kurdish counterterrorism forces. The drone strikes have repeatedly targeted oil fields in the Kurdistan Region, prompting production suspensions and causing significant damage to Erbil's oil sector - already weakened by the ongoing closure of the Iraq-Turkey pipeline since March 2023. The KRG's interior ministry previously blamed the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) - an umbrella group of Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups - for the attacks. However, the Iraqi government in Baghdad has dismissed the claims as 'unacceptable.' Meanwhile, International actors, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the United Nations, have strongly condemned the drone strikes on the Kurdistan Region. In an interview published Monday by the Associated Press, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani condemned the drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region as 'terrorist' acts. He said his government is working closely with the KRG and the US-led Global Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) to identify and hold those responsible accountable. Also on Monday, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji visited Erbil and met with senior Kurdish officials. He told Rudaw that a recently-formed joint committee between Erbil and Baghdad is investigating the attacks but has not yet completed its work. "The joint technical committees are continuing their work to gather all evidence and facts regarding the attacks,' Araji said, adding that 'once their work is complete, all members of the joint committee will present their recommendations' to Sudani.

Drone strikes halt 70% of Kurdistan oil
Drone strikes halt 70% of Kurdistan oil

Shafaq News

timean hour ago

  • Shafaq News

Drone strikes halt 70% of Kurdistan oil

Shafaq News – Erbil Drone strikes between July 14 and 16 knocked out 70 percent of oil production in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), delivering a major blow to an already strained economy. Human Rights Watch reported that five oil fields were targeted by unidentified drones, halting around 220,000 barrels per day and disrupting energy supplies without causing casualties. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's deputy chief of staff accused 'criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll' of carrying out the attacks, though no group has claimed responsibility. The strikes follow escalating tensions over oil revenue control, as Baghdad has withheld budget transfers since May, leaving the KRI unable to pay public sector wages, including those of teachers and healthcare workers.

Iraq urges international community to achieve ceasefire in Gaza
Iraq urges international community to achieve ceasefire in Gaza

Iraqi News

time4 hours ago

  • Iraqi News

Iraq urges international community to achieve ceasefire in Gaza

Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, urged the international community on Monday to support peace efforts and take immediate action to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Hussein's remarks took place during his participation in the United Nations High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in New York. Saudi Arabia and France are co-chairing the summit, which is taking place from July 28 to 30, 2025. The conference aims to promote a two-state solution and to foster global efforts to end the war in Gaza. Additionally, it seeks to establish a fair and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hussein highlighted the importance of lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip and ensuring the safety of civilians, asserting that the situation facing Palestinians represents a profound moral challenge for the international community. Iraq firmly condemns Israel's crimes and continued attacks against the Palestinian people, which amount to genocide, and holds Israel completely accountable for these serious violations of international humanitarian law, according to Hussein. The Iraqi foreign minister also stated that Baghdad continues to support measures aimed at recognizing the Palestinian state and opposes attempts to forcefully relocate Gazans.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store