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Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
US encourages Iraq to end tensions with Kurdistan Region
WASHINGTON DC - The United States said on Saturday that the resolution of Erbil-Baghdad tensions over oil exports and finances would signal that the Iraqi government is committed to creating a suitable environment for companies to invest in the country. 'We have consistently encouraged Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their issues regarding salaries and the reopening of the ITP,' a State Department official told Rudaw in response to an email, referring to the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline. 'Addressing these issues quickly would signal that Iraq puts the interests of its people first and is committed to creating an environment in which companies will want to invest. Establishing that business-friendly environment requires respecting contract sanctity and providing necessary security guarantees,' added the official. Iraq's Council of Ministers on Thursday approved a new financial agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), paving the way for the resumption of salary payments to the Region's public employees and the restart of Kurdish oil exports, which have been suspended for more than two years. The Iraqi government said the agreement stipulates that the KRG is obliged to export all of the oil produced from its fields - estimated at 230,000 barrels per day - through Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The KRG will retain 50,000 barrels per day for local consumption, covering production costs, while the federal Ministry of Oil may provide refined oil products equivalent to 15,000 barrels per day if needed. Erbil will also hand over non-oil revenues. In return, Baghdad will pay the Kurdish government's share from the federal budget. The KRG, which approved the deal with the federal government ahead of its announcement by Baghdad, has not confirmed its contents. Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said he welcomed their 'understanding' and expected Baghdad to resume the disbursement of the salaries of his government's civil servants who have only been paid for four months this year. With the announcement of their agreement, drone attacks on locations in the Kurdistan Region have stopped. In the month of July, there were at least 18 drone attacks. Oil fields operated by international companies have been a primary target. The last incident occurred on Thursday when two explosive-laden drones crashed in the outskirts of Erbil, according to the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD). Another drone attack was repelled on the same day in the Shekhan district of Duhok province, home to oil fields operated by international companies, a security source told Rudaw at the time. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a charge Baghdad has denied. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Barzani, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to the 'spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' The attacks have been widely condemned, including by the UN, US and UK. 'Demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding and supporting international investment is especially important in the current environment where drone attacks have targeted U.S. and other international companies' operations in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region without consequence,' the State Department official noted in the email to Rudaw.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region
Also in Iraq Iraq launches probe into Wasit mall fire that killed 63 Iraq holds nationwide mourning after mall blaze kills 61 At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The British Embassy in Baghdad on Friday condemned a recent wave of drone attacks in the Kurdistan Region, including strikes that targeted key energy infrastructure, as tensions between Erbil and Baghdad appear to ease following a new financial agreement. 'The UK condemns the recent drone attacks across Iraq, including those this week targeting energy infrastructure in the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq],' the British Embassy said in a statement. 'These attacks threaten civilians' safety, damage Iraq's economy and undermine Iraq's stability.' The embassy urged the Iraqi government to prevent further attacks and hold those responsible to account. In the month of July, there have been at least 19 drone attacks on locations in the Kurdistan Region. Most recently, on Thursday, two explosive-laden drones crashed in Erbil's outskirts, according to the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD). On Wednesday, the CTD reported drone strikes on two oil fields in northern Duhok province. One hit Norwegian energy company DNO's Tawke oil field, prompting the company to temporarily suspend operations. Gulf Keystone Petroleum, which operates the Shekhan field in southern Duhok, also halted operations as a precautionary measure. A day earlier, a drone targeted the Sarsang oil field northwest of Duhok city, operated by US-based HKN Energy. The company suspended activity pending a security review and full damage assessment. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a charge Baghdad has denied. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to the 'spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' The Kurdistan Region's Presidency, Council of Ministers, and Ministry of Natural Resources all strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as attempts to cripple the Region's vital oil infrastructure. They called on the federal government to hold the perpetrators to account. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Bomb-laden drones crash near Erbil following wave of attacks on energy sites
Also in Kurdistan Oil companies condemn attacks on Kurdistan Region fields Drone targets Duhok oil field operated by US firm Top Foxtrot member arrested in Erbil: Swedish media KRG approves 'understanding' with Baghdad on budget issues A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two bomb-laden drones crashed in northern and southwestern Erbil on Thursday morning, causing no casualties or material damage, according to the Kurdistan Region's counterterrorism forces. In a statement posted to Facebook, the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT, reported that 'at 10:50 am [local time], a bomb-laden drone crashed' near the village of Surezha in Shamamk subdistrict southwest of Erbil. The statement confirmed that 'no human casualties or material damage' were caused. The CTD reported a similar incident earlier the same day in Erbil's northern Bahrka subdistrict near Jizhnikani village. These incidents follow a string of drone strikes that have targeted key oil and energy infrastructure across the Kurdistan Region since Monday. On Wednesday, the CTD reported drone attacks on two different oil fields in the northern Duhok province on Wednesday. 'Between 6:00 and 6:15 am, the DNO oil field in targeted by two explosive-laden drones," the Kurdish counterterrorism forces said, adding that 'a third drone targeted the DNO oil field in Tawke at 7:00 am,' causing material damage but no injuries. Norwegian energy company DNO confirmed in a statement that operations at both fields have been 'temporarily suspended' due to the attacks. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP), which operates the Sheikhan oil field in southern Duhok, also announced it had temporarily shut down operations on Wednesday as a precautionary measure. A day earlier, a drone attack targeted the Sarsang oil field northwest of Duhok city, operated by the US-based HKN Energy, also prompting a suspension of operations at the facility 'until it is secured and a full evaluation is completed.' In a Wednesday statement on X, Aziz Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Staff to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to a 'spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' He added that five oil fields, including two operated by US companies, have been targeted so far. The Kurdistan Region's Presidency, cabinet and natural resources ministry strongly condemned the drone attacks, describing them as attempts to cripple the Region's vital oil infrastructure. They called on Iraq's federal government in Baghdad to take urgent action to prevent further attacks and hold those responsible accountable. Responding to a question from Rudaw during a Wednesday press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce censured 'these kinds of attacks' as 'unacceptable, adding, 'We've expressed our dismay and our problem with them.' Iraq's presidency, premiership, and parliament also condemned the attacks on Tuesday. 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.'
Rudaw Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Drone targets Duhok oil field operated by US film
Also in Kurdistan Top Foxtrot member arrested in Erbil: Swedish media KRG approves 'understanding' with Baghdad on budget issues President Barzani, Estonian defense minister discuss defense ties, regional developments KRG cabinet to address financial crisis amid new round of meetings with Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An oil field operated by an American company in Duhok province was targeted by an explosive-laden drone for the second time on Wednesday amid increased attacks on Kurdistan Region's oil sector. The Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT, said in a statement on Facebook that an oil field located in Duhok province's Shekhan district was struck with an explosive-laden drone at 7:10 pm, local time. 'Apart from material damage, there were no casualties,' added the CTD. The oil field, operated by the American Hunt Oil, came under another drone attack earlier on Wednesday. Kurdistan Region's natural resources ministry confirmed the attack, adding that the recent attacks on Kurdistan Region's oil sector has caused a "significant material loss." It condemned the attacks and reiterated its call on the federal government to take action to stop these attacks. Several other drone attacks were reported in Duhok province on the same day. #BREAKING: A suspected drone attack targets an oil field in Duhok province's Shekhan district - Rudaw reporter — Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) July 16, 2025 Kurdistan Region's authorities have condemned the repeated drone attacks, urging the federal government in Baghdad to take urgent measures to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice. 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 Region's interior ministry in early July accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge dismissed by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.'
Rudaw Net
4 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
KRG ministry condemns drone strikes on Duhok oil fields as operations halt
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's natural resources ministry on Wednesday condemned a series of "terrorist" drone attacks targeting oil fields in the northern Duhok province, stating that the assaults aim to cripple the Region's economic infrastructure. In a statement, the ministry said that 'several terrorist attacks were carried out via bombing drones against the oil fields of Tawke and Peshkhabour' in the Zakho Independent Administration, as well as the Ain Safni oil field in the Sheikhan district. While the attacks resulted in no casualties, the ministry confirmed they caused "significant damage" to the infrastructure. The ministry called on 'the [Iraqi] federal government and the international community to act swiftly to protect the lives of civilian employees and energy security, and to prevent further attacks on Kurdistan's energy sector." Earlier Wednesday, the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT, reported that between 6:00 and 6:15 am local time, the oil field in Peshkhabour was 'targeted by two explosive-laden drones,' followed by a third drone strike at 7:00 am on the Tawke field. The oil fields are operated by Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO Asa. The company confirmed the attacks in a Wednesday statement, adding that its operations at oil fields 'have been temporarily suspended following three explosions early this morning, one involving a small storage tank' in Tawke, and 'the other involving surface processing equipment' at Peshkhabour. Although no injuries were reported, DNO Asa said a damage assessment is ongoing and production will resume once it is complete. For its part, Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP), the operator of the Sheikhan oil field, said it had "noted reports over the past two days of explosions at a number of oil fields in the vicinity" and, as a precaution, had temporarily shut in production and implemented staff safety measures. The company noted its assets had not been directly impacted but added it is 'closely monitoring the situation.' Wednesday marked the third consecutive day of drone attacks targeting oil infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region. On Tuesday, a drone attack had targeted the Sarsang oil field in Duhok, 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 'an explosion occurred' at the field at 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.' A day prior, on Monday, two explosive-laden drones targeted the Khurmala oil field, southwest of Erbil. A security source, who spoke to Rudaw anonymously on Monday, said the drones were intercepted by US-led coalition forces, and that no injuries were reported. The Kurdistan Region Presidency on Tuesday strongly condemned the repeated drone attacks, urging the federal government in Baghdad to take urgent measures to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice. The Iraqi presidency, premiership and parliament on the same day denounced 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 Region's interior ministry in early July accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge dismissed by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.'
