HRW: Damage to Kurdistan Oil Fields Puts Rights at Risk
Iraq: Damage to Kurdistan Region Oil Fields Puts Rights at Risk
Drone strikes on five oil fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) by unknown groups between July 14 and 16, 2025, significantly damaged the region's energy production, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.
The drone strikes mark a dangerous escalation in a long-running dispute between Baghdad and Erbil over the control and distribution of oil revenues. As part of this dispute, Baghdad has been withholding funds for the regional government's public sector salaries since May.
Federal Iraqi and Kurdistan regional authorities should investigate the drone strikes, prevent further attacks on energy infrastructure, and ensure timely and full payment of public sector salaries.
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