Two explosive-laden drones struck the Khurmala oil field in Iraq’s Kurdistan region Monday evening, causing infrastructure damage but no casualties, Kurdish authorities said.
The drones crashed at the facility in Erbil province at 8:20 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. local time, the Kurdistan Region’s Directorate General of Counter Terrorism reported. The attacks damaged water pipelines at the oil field located about 25 kilometers south of Erbil.
“No lives were lost in the incident and the impact was limited to infrastructure damage,” the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement. The ministry condemned what it called “a serious act of sabotage” against the region’s economic infrastructure.
Iraq’s Joint Operations Command confirmed the attacks caused material damage and said it was coordinating with Kurdish security forces to investigate.
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No group immediately took responsibility for the strikes. Kurdish authorities have previously blamed pro-Iranian militias for similar attacks, accusations denied by Iraq’s federal government in Baghdad.
The incident was part of a broader pattern of drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure in Iraqi Kurdistan. Earlier Monday, security forces intercepted another explosive drone near Erbil International Airport. On Tuesday, the Sarsang oil field in neighboring Duhok province was also hit by a drone strike, halting production at the facility operated by US company HKN Energy.
The attacks have drawn international concern, with US Ambassador Steven Fagin condemning the strikes and urging the Iraqi government to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. Washington said such attacks undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and efforts to attract foreign investment.
Initial investigations suggest the drones originated from areas under the control of Iran-backed militias, though no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“Such attacks pose a risk to the country’s stability, sovereignty, and both domestic and international investments,” the Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement condemning the strikes.
The attacks are part of a recent escalation in drone and rocket strikes across Iraq, with military installations and energy facilities in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region frequently targeted.
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