KRG has agreed on export resumption to state oil marketer: Baghdad
The semi-autonomous region did not confirm the export plan, but Baghdad and Erbil have been in negotiations since late February to end a stand-off that has halted flows from the north of the country to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.
Baghdad said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will immediately begin delivering at least 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) to state oil marketer SOMO for export under a new agreement approved by the federal cabinet. The drone attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan's oilfields continued on Thursday, with officials pointing to Iran-backed militias as the likely source of attacks.
They are the first such attacks on oilfields in the region and coincide with the first attacks in seven months on shipping in the Red Sea by Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen.
Thursday's strike hit an oilfield operated by Norway's DNO in Tawke, the region's counter-terrorism service said.
It was the week's second strike on a site operated by DNO, which operates the Tawke and Peshkabour oilfields in the Zakho area that borders Turkey.
No group has claimed responsibility for four consecutive days of attacks, but security officials told Reuters the drones came from areas controlled by Iran-backed militias.
No casualties have been reported, but oil output in the region has been cut by 140,000 bpd to 150,000 bpd, two energy officials said.
AWAITING FINANCIAL DETAILS
A statement from KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the government had approved a joint understanding with the federal government and it was awaiting financial details.
Similar agreements in the past failed to secure a resumption in exports and it remains unclear if this deal will succeed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Britain ‘taking forward' Gaza food airdrop plan
LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday spoke to his French and German counterparts and outlined UK plans to get aid to people in Gaza and evacuate sick and injured children, his office said. 'The prime minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance,' a statement said. In a phone conversation, Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza 'which they agreed is appalling'. 'They all agreed it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently needed ceasefire into lasting peace,' according to a readout released by Downing Street. 'They discussed their intention to work closely together on a plan.... which would pave the way to a long-term solution and security in the region. They agreed that once this plan was worked up, they would seek to bring in other key partners, including in the region, to advance it,' it added. The discussion comes a day after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the international community for turning a blind eye to widespread starvation in the Gaza Strip, calling it a 'moral crisis that challenges the global conscience'. Aid groups have warned of surging cases of starvation, particularly among children, in war-ravaged Gaza, which Israel placed under an aid blockade in March amid its ongoing war with Hamas. That blockade was partially eased two months later. The trickle of aid since then has been controlled by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Business Recorder
19 hours ago
- Business Recorder
‘Indo-Pak, Iran-Israel wars increase importance of Pakistan'
LAHORE: The recent two wars – Pakistan-India and Iran-Israel – have changed the global situation leading to an increased importance of Pakistan. These views were expressed by the speakers at the forum on the topic of 'Need and Importance of Bilateral Balance in Pakistan-US-China Relations' held here. Speaking at the forum, foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi said that Pakistan's relations with the US and China have different dimensions and there is no conflict between them. 'The conflicts are only in thinking and maintaining balance between the two is not much difficult.' He said while Field Marshal Asim Munir was meeting Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng and top military leadership, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was on an important US visit to hold talks on economic and political cooperation. He said China cannot leave Pakistan alone, while the US can no longer risk pushing Pakistan towards China. 'These are the times to look at Pakistan from Pakistan's perspective, not from others' lens and 'old times' approach.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Mohsin Naqvi reaffirms federal support for Balochistan's anti-terror efforts
Listen to article Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed the federal government's unwavering support for Balochistan in its fight against terrorism, during a high-level meeting held in Quetta to review law and order. In a statement released on Saturday, Naqvi co-chaired the special session at the Chief Minister's Secretariat with Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmad Bugti. The meeting focused on the overall security situation in Balochistan, the performance of law enforcement agencies, and ongoing operations against 'Fitna-e-Hindustan' – a term used for Indian-sponsored terrorists operating in the region. Attendees included the Balochistan IGP, Frontier Corps (North) IG, Counter Terrorism Department DIG, Special Branch DIG, Levies DG, senior officials from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, and other representatives of law enforcement agencies. Read: Three Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in Swat: CTD Chief Minister Bugti briefed the meeting on the current security scenario, progress made by security forces, and updates on the implementation of the provincial action plan against terrorism. He also identified obstacles impeding the plan's execution and invited suggestions to overcome them. Addressing the gathering, Naqvi declared that the end of 'Fitna-e-Hindustan' terrorists would be a disgraceful one. He stated that India-backed militants and their facilitators 'have no place to hide in Pakistan' and vowed that they would be brought to justice at any cost. 'Those challenging the writ of the state will be dealt with with an iron hand,' he added. He assured the complete cooperation of the federal government to restore peace in Balochistan. He said the centre stood firmly with the provincial government and that a strong coordination mechanism existed between the two. Read more: Three bodies found near M-8 highway in Khuzdar CM Bugti stated that the war against terrorism was not only the responsibility of the security forces but of the entire nation. He said that action against subversive and terrorist elements had been further intensified. He added that all state institutions in Balochistan were fully active and working in complete coordination to restore peace and order. He stressed that the sacrifices of the people and security personnel would not go in vain. He also highlighted the resolve and confidence of the nation, expressing optimism that Pakistan would overcome the threats posed by its enemies. Earlier in the day, Naqvi arrived in Quetta for a one-day visit. He was received at the airport by provincial ministers and senior officials. Upon his arrival at the Chief Minister House, he was formally welcomed by CM Bugti. The two leaders also paid tribute to the martyrs and offered prayers for the security personnel who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
