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Euronews
2 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
Drone attacks salvo strikes multiple oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan
Fresh drone strikes have struck three of Iraq's oil fields on Wednesday, in what has become a string of UAV and missile attacks across the Middle Eastern country's Kurdistan region. The Iraqi Kurdistan counter-terrorism forces said that within 15 minutes at 6 am local time (5 am CEST) on Wednesday, two explosive drones struck the oil field in Pishkhabur in the Zakho region operated by the Norwegian oil and gas company DNO. At 7 am, another explosive drone also struck an oil field in Tauke in the same area operated by DNO, according to authorities. The attacks caused no loss of life and only material damage. Iraqi authorities further said that at 7:14 am, an explosive drone struck an oil field managed by the US company Handlowy in Duhok province, with no casualties or material damage. No group has claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The attacks came at a time when tensions between the capital Baghdad and the regional capital of Erbil have escalated over oil exports, while a major pipeline to Turkey has remained closed since 2023 due to legal disputes and technical issues. Drone strikes on oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan on Wednesday raised to five the number of oil fields in the region targeted over the past week. On Tuesday, an explosive drone targeted the Sarseng oil field in Dhok province, run by US company HKN Energy. The strike occurred just hours before the signing of a contract to develop another oil field by the same firm. On Monday, there were also reports of the downing of an explosive drone of unidentified origin near Erbil International Airport, which is home to US-led coalition forces. The Iraqi Kurdistan Climate Counter-Terrorism Service also said that two drones hit the Khormullah oil field on Monday evening, causing material damage. Iraqi Kurdistan, which is attempting to boost its image as a relatively stable region in the country mired by instability, is seeking to attract foreign investors due to its close ties with the US and European countries.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Drone Attacks Strike US-Owned Oil Field in Iraq
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A drone attack has targeted U.S.-owned oil and gas field in Iraq's Kurdistan region. No group has claimed responsibility, but Iraqi Kurdistan security sources said initial investigations concluded the attacks came from areas controlled by Iran-backed militias. The American embassy in Iraq said the Khormala and Sarsang oil fields, managed by HKN Energy, had been hit by drones on Monday and Tuesday. Production at the Sarsang field was halted, according to Reuters and images showed the fiery aftermath of the strikes. The embassy urged the Iraqi government to "exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites within its own territory." This is a developing story; updates to follow.
Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdistan oil fields targeted for third day in a row in drone attacks
Also in Kurdistan KRG cabinet to address financial crisis amid new round of meetings with Baghdad KRG ministry condemns drone strikes on Duhok oil fields as operations halt Archaeologists unearth over 6,000-year-old settlement near Erbil KRG minister slams Baghdad for failing to uphold constitutional obligations A+ A- 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.'
Rudaw Net
4 hours 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.'
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 hours ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
New drone attacks hit three oil fields in northern Iraq: Kurdish forces - Region
Explosive-laden drones hit three oil fields in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdistan region early Wednesday, Kurdish forces said, a day after a similar attack shut operations at a US-run field. In the past few weeks, Iraq and particularly the Kurdistan region have seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Wednesday's attacks have raised the number of oil field hit in Kurdistan to five within a week. "At 06:00 and 06:15 (0300 and 0315 GMT) two explosive-laden drones attacked" the Peshkabir oil field operated by the Norwegian oil group DNO in Zakho district, Kurdistan's counterterrorism services said. At 7:00 am (0400 GMT) a similar drone struck the DNO-operated Tawke field in the same area, Kurdistan's counterterrorism services said. The attacks caused only material damage. Another attack at 7:14 am (0414 GMT) targeted an oil field operated by the US firm Hunt Oil in Dohuk province, without causing casualties or material damage. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. The attacks also come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. Wednesday's attacks came a day after an explosive-laden drone strike forced the US firm HKN Energy to suspend operations in the Sarsang oil field in Duhok. On Monday, one drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in a volatile Iraq, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and European countries. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
