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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.'
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