Latest news with #Iran-allied
Japan Today
16-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraq's Kurdish region shut down facilities
This is a locator map for Iraq with its capital, Baghdad. (AP Photo) By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Drones targeted oil fields in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region Wednesday, the latest in a series of attacks in recent days that have put several oil facilities out of commission. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which have exacerbated tensions between the central government in Baghdad and Kurdish authorities. The Kurdish region's anti-terrorism department said two drones attacked an oil field in the district of Zakho, causing damage but no injuries. DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas company operating the field, said its operations were temporarily suspended following three explosions involving a small storage tank at Tawke and surface processing equipment at Peshkabir. It said there were no injuries, and a damage assessment was underway. Hours later, the anti-terrorism department said the Baadre oil field, located in the Sheikhan district of Dohuk province, was targeted by a drone strike. There were no injuries. Videos showed a plume of smoke rising over barren hills. The attacks came a day after another oil field in Dohuk province operated by a U.S. company was set ablaze, also after being struck by a drone. The Kurdish region's Ministry of Natural Resources said the attacks were meant "to disrupt the economy of the Kurdistan region and threaten the safety of civilian employees of the energy sector,' and called for federal authorities to intervene to stop them. Iraqi oil industry expert Hamza al-Jawahiri said the targeting of oil fields in the Kurdish region would not affect global oil prices and that oil production in southern Iraq is sufficient to compensate for any resulting shortage. The fields in northern Iraq produce around 500,000 barrels per day. Al-Jawahiri said the primary losers would be the companies operating the fields, which are working under partnership contracts. Earlier this month, the Kurdish regional government accused the Popular Mobilization Forces — a coalition of Iran-allied militias that are officially under the control of the Iraqi military — of carrying out drone attacks. The Iraqi army said the accusation was 'issued in the absence of evidence' and said it could 'provide hostile parties with justifications to undermine Iraq's stability.' Iran-backed armed groups have periodically attacked U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. During last month's Israel-Iran war, some of them threatened to target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington got involved. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Gulf Insider
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Drone Attacks On Northern Iraqi Oil Field On The Rise Amid Iran Tensions
On Monday an explosive-laden drone sought to target vital infrastructure in northern Iraq, in an area known to host final remnants of US troops and officials. The US has long been most closely involved with Iraqi Kurdistan. The drone carrying explosives was intercepted and brought down early Monday near Erbil International Airport in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, local officials said. A later, separate nighttime (Monday) attack targeted a key oil field in the region. The region's Directorate General of Counter Terrorism stated that the drone targeting the airport was shot down at 2:20 a.m. local time (2320 GMT on Sunday). While no casualties or property damage resulted, and no group has taken responsibility for the incident so far, it suggests the possibility that Iran-allied Shia paramilitaries could be ready to cause havoc, following the 12-day Israel-Iran war last June, which the US also became involved in through bombing three nuclear facilities. Iraq has seen a rise in drone-related attacks in recent weeks – with for example earlier this month security forces having shot down another explosive drone near Erbil Airport. And recently similar device was intercepted near a Kurdish Peshmerga base in Kirkuk province. This brings up the possibility of anti-Kurdish factions, or even the possibility of remnant ISIS cells. In the night hours of Monday, there are new reports of yet another drone attack in the region, and this time unverified videos suggest that damage has been done (unconfirmed): According to Rudaw English, a Kurdish regional outlet: Two explosive-laden drones target the Khurmala oil field in Erbil province, resulting in no casualties – citing Kurdish counterterrorism units. The oil field lies southwest of Erbil, and reports suggest they were intercepted by US-led coalition forces on Monday night. The area lies about 60 kilometers from Erbil city.
Nahar Net
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraq's Kurdish region shut down another facility
by Naharnet Newsdesk 16 July 2025, 14:21 Drones targeted oil fields in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region Wednesday, the latest in a series of attacks in recent days that have put several oil facilities out of commission. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which have exacerbated tensions between the central government in Baghdad and Kurdish authorities. The Kurdish region's anti-terrorism department said two drones attacked an oil field in the district of Zakho, causing damage but no injuries. DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas company operating the field, said its operations were "temporarily suspended following three explosions early this morning, one involving a small storage tank at Tawke and the other involving surface processing equipment at Peshkabir." It said there were no injuries and a damage assessment was underway. The attack came a day after another oil field in Iraq 's Dohuk province operated by a U.S. company was set ablaze, also after being struck by a drone. The Kurdish region's Ministry of Natural Resources said the attacks were meant "to disrupt the economy of the Kurdistan Region and threaten the safety of civilian employees of the energy sector," and called for federal authorities to intervene to stop them. Earlier this month, the Kurdish regional government accused the Popular Mobilization Forces — a coalition of Iran-allied militias that are officially under the control of the Iraqi military — of carrying out drone attacks. The Iraqi army said the accusation was "issued in the absence of evidence" and said it could "provide hostile parties with justifications to undermine Iraq's stability." Iran-backed armed groups have periodically attacked U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. During last month's Israel-Iran war, some of them threatened to target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington got involved.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraq's Kurdish region shut down another facility
This is a locator map for Iraq with its capital, Baghdad. (AP Photo) BAGHDAD — Drones targeted oil fields in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region Wednesday, the latest in a series of attacks in recent days that have put several oil facilities out of commission. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which have exacerbated tensions between the central government in Baghdad and Kurdish authorities. The Kurdish region's anti-terrorism department said two drones attacked an oil field in the district of Zakho, causing damage but no injuries. DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas company operating the field, said its operations were 'temporarily suspended following three explosions early this morning, one involving a small storage tank at Tawke and the other involving surface processing equipment at Peshkabir.' It said there were no injuries and a damage assessment was underway. The attack came a day after another oil field in Iraq 's Dohuk province operated by a U.S. company was set ablaze, also after being struck by a drone. The Kurdish region's Ministry of Natural Resources said the attacks were meant 'to disrupt the economy of the Kurdistan Region and threaten the safety of civilian employees of the energy sector,' and called for federal authorities to intervene to stop them. Earlier this month, the Kurdish regional government accused the Popular Mobilization Forces — a coalition of Iran-allied militias that are officially under the control of the Iraqi military — of carrying out drone attacks. The Iraqi army said the accusation was 'issued in the absence of evidence' and said it could 'provide hostile parties with justifications to undermine Iraq's stability.' Iran-backed armed groups have periodically attacked U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. During last month's Israel-Iran war, some of them threatened to target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington got involved. Qassim Abdul-zahra, The Associated Press
San Francisco Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraq's Kurdish region shut down another facility
BAGHDAD (AP) — Drones targeted oil fields in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region Wednesday, the latest in a series of attacks in recent days that have put several oil facilities out of commission. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which have exacerbated tensions between the central government in Baghdad and Kurdish authorities. The Kurdish region's anti-terrorism department said two drones attacked an oil field in the district of Zakho, causing damage but no injuries. DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas company operating the field, said its operations were 'temporarily suspended following three explosions early this morning, one involving a small storage tank at Tawke and the other involving surface processing equipment at Peshkabir.' It said there were no injuries and a damage assessment was underway. The attack came a day after another oil field in Iraq 's Dohuk province operated by a U.S. company was set ablaze, also after being struck by a drone. The Kurdish region's Ministry of Natural Resources said the attacks were meant "to disrupt the economy of the Kurdistan Region and threaten the safety of civilian employees of the energy sector,' and called for federal authorities to intervene to stop them. Earlier this month, the Kurdish regional government accused the Popular Mobilization Forces — a coalition of Iran-allied militias that are officially under the control of the Iraqi military — of carrying out drone attacks. The Iraqi army said the accusation was 'issued in the absence of evidence' and said it could 'provide hostile parties with justifications to undermine Iraq's stability.' Iran-backed armed groups have periodically attacked U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. During last month's Israel-Iran war, some of them threatened to target U.S. interests and bases in the region if Washington got involved.
