16th Jul 2025 08:24
(Alliance News) - 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 US 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 US and European countries.
London listings Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd and Genel Energy PLC both participate in oil fields in Kurdistan and early Wednesday said they had suspended operations following the explosions. Both said there were no injuries among their workers.
DNO ASA, the operator of the Tawke field, in which Genel has a stake, reported three explosions early Wednesday morning, "one involving a small storage tank at Tawke and the other involving surface processing equipment at Peshkabir". DNO added: "The damage assessment is underway and the company expects to restart production once the assessment is completed."
Gulf Keystone noted only reports of explosions at oil fields near its Shaikan field. It said its assets hadn't been affected. "The company is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as appropriate," it said.
Genel shares were down 4.1% to 61.98 pence in London early Wednesday. Gulf Keystone was down 4.3% to 163.83p.
source: AFP
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