Drone strikes hit three oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan – DW – 07/16/2025
Explosive-laden drones struck three oil fields in Iraq'sautonomous Kurdistan region early Wednesday, forcing temporary shutdowns.
This is the fifth site targeted in one week in the region.
According to Kurdish counterterrorism forces, two drones hit the Peshkabir field and a third struck the nearby Tawke field, both operated by Norway's DNO, in Zakho district around 6 a.m. local time (0300 UTC).
A fourth drone later struck a US-headquartered Hunt Oil site in Dohuk province.
No casualties were reported despite some material damage.
"The damage assessment is underway, and the company expects to restart production once the assessment is completed," DNO said.
The latest attacks followed a drone strike on Tuesday on the Sarsang field, forcing the halt in production. The targeted field is operated by American firm HKN Energy.
Similar strikes hit the Khurmala field on Monday, while one drone was shot down near Erbil airport.
While no group has claimed responsibility, initial investigations by Iraqi Kurdistan security sources point to regions controlled by Iran-backed militias as the origin of the drones.
Security sources link such attacks to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel.
Iran backs Shiite Muslim militant groups in Iraq such as Kataib Hezbollah.
The drone campaign comes amid tensions between the central government in Baghdad and Kurdistan authorities over oil exports and a stalled pipeline to Turkey.
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Drone strikes hit three oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan – DW – 07/16/2025
This is the fifth site targeted in one week in the region. Security sources point to regions controlled by Iran-backed militias as the origin of the drones. Explosive-laden drones struck three oil fields in Iraq'sautonomous Kurdistan region early Wednesday, forcing temporary shutdowns. This is the fifth site targeted in one week in the region. According to Kurdish counterterrorism forces, two drones hit the Peshkabir field and a third struck the nearby Tawke field, both operated by Norway's DNO, in Zakho district around 6 a.m. local time (0300 UTC). A fourth drone later struck a US-headquartered Hunt Oil site in Dohuk province. No casualties were reported despite some material damage. "The damage assessment is underway, and the company expects to restart production once the assessment is completed," DNO said. The latest attacks followed a drone strike on Tuesday on the Sarsang field, forcing the halt in production. The targeted field is operated by American firm HKN Energy. Similar strikes hit the Khurmala field on Monday, while one drone was shot down near Erbil airport. While no group has claimed responsibility, initial investigations by Iraqi Kurdistan security sources point to regions controlled by Iran-backed militias as the origin of the drones. Security sources link such attacks to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Iran backs Shiite Muslim militant groups in Iraq such as Kataib Hezbollah. The drone campaign comes amid tensions between the central government in Baghdad and Kurdistan authorities over oil exports and a stalled pipeline to Turkey.
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