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Oil Fields In Northern Iraq Were Attacked By Drones On Wednesday, Interrupting Operations And Raising Political Tensions With The Kurdish Government.
Two oil fields located in the Kurdish autonomous region of northern Iraq were hit by drones last Wednesday (16), causing a temporary halt of activities at some facilities. The attacks occurred in the Zakho district and, hours later, in Sheikhan, both in the Dohuk province. Although no one claimed responsibility, the attacks intensify the climate of political instability between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdish authorities.
The bombings, which also jeopardize the local energy sector, led to precautionary shutdowns at fields operated by foreign companies, including a Norwegian oil company and another American one. The Kurdish authorities are urgently requesting federal assistance to contain the attacks and ensure the region’s safety.
Drones Hit Facilities In Zakho And Sheikhan
The first attack on Wednesday was confirmed by the Kurdish anti-terrorism department. Two drones struck an oil field in the Zakho district, damaging part of the infrastructure but leaving no casualties.
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DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas company operating the field, reported explosions in a small storage tank in Tawke and also on surface processing equipment at the Peshkabir field. Operations were immediately suspended to assess the damages.
A few hours later, a new drone attack targeted the Baadre field in the Sheikhan district. Similar to the previous incident, there were no victims. Videos shared on social media show smoke spreading across the region’s arid mountains.
Rising Tension In The Kurdish Region Of Iraq
The drone attacks on the oil fields occur at a time of increasing tension between Kurdistan and Baghdad.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Kurdish authorities assert that the actions aim to destabilize the local economy.
The Kurdish Ministry of Natural Resources declared that the bombings “threaten the safety of civilian employees in the energy sector” and requested intervention from the Iraqi federal government to prevent further incidents.
Authorities’ concerns are not limited to economic losses but also include the safety of professionals working in the affected fields.
Field Operated By American Company Targeted One Day Earlier
The day before, another oil field in the Dohuk province, managed by a U.S. company, was also attacked by a drone, resulting in a fire. The incident reinforces the idea of a coordinated offensive against strategic installations in the region.
Although there is currently no concrete evidence regarding those responsible, the sequential attacks raise fears about the continuity of production and the energy stability of northern Iraq.
Impact On Production And The Global Market
Despite the severity of the attacks, experts say the impacts on the global oil market should be limited. Hamza al-Jawahiri, an analyst in the Iraqi oil industry, explained that production in the southern part of the country remains stable and can offset any losses caused by the disruption in the north.
Currently, the Kurdish oil fields in northern Iraq are responsible for about 500,000 barrels per day (bpd). Nonetheless, the situation raises concerns as it affects a strategic area for international investors.
Authorities Call For A Response From The Central Government
In light of the escalating attacks, authorities in Kurdistan are pressuring Baghdad for a firmer response. The fear is that the drone attacks will become recurrent, jeopardizing the region’s energy security and driving foreign companies away.
As the damages are assessed and investigations continue, the call for diplomatic solutions and more effective protection measures for workers and the infrastructure of northern Iraq’s oil fields grows.
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