Iraq's Kurdistan Region: Drone Attacks on 3 Oil Fields in Duhok

SadaNews - The Kurdistan Region of Iraq announced on Wednesday the registration of attacks by explosive drones on three oil fields in Duhok province, following a series of similar attacks targeting energy facilities.

 

Thus, five oil fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been attacked by drones this week. The Wednesday attacks came on the heels of an attack on an oil field operated by an American company in Erbil province, which led to a suspension of operations there.

The Counter-Terrorism Agency in the Kurdistan Region stated, "On Wednesday morning between 06:00 and 06:15, an attack was launched by two explosive drones on the oil field operated by the Norwegian company DNO in Bishkhabour in the independent administration of Zakho in Duhok province in northern Iraq.

It also indicated that another similar attack occurred on a field belonging to the company "at 07:00 in Tawki on the borders of the independent administration of Zakho" without any reported human losses.

In a later statement, the agency reported, "At 07:14, an attack was launched by an explosive drone on the oil field operated by the American company Hand Oil in Badrra in the Sheikhhan district in Duhok province," without any casualties or material losses.

In recent weeks, Iraq, particularly the Kurdistan Region, has witnessed several attacks by drones and missiles, with authorities failing to identify those responsible.

Kurdistan authorities announced the downing of an explosive drone on Monday near Erbil International Airport, while two drones later targeted the Khormala oil field in Erbil province.

The recent attacks come at a time when tensions are escalating between Baghdad and Erbil regarding the oil exports from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which have been halted via the Turkish port of Ceyhan since Turkey closed the pipeline in 2023 due to legal disputes and technical problems.

The presidency of the Kurdistan Region condemned the attacks on Tuesday, holding "the Iraqi federal government responsible for taking urgent and necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of these assaults, and to identify and hold accountable the perpetrators in accordance with the law."

For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani issued instructions on Tuesday for an "immediate and extensive investigation to identify those behind these attacks and to take decisive measures to hold those involved accountable," as stated by his spokesperson Sabah al-Nu'man in a statement.