ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s governing coalition on Saturday condemned a deadly drone strike on key oil and gas infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region that killed four Yemeni nationals and knocked some two-thirds of the Region’s electricity generation offline.
A drone strike on Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province, operated by the UAE-based Dana Gas, on Friday killed four Yemeni nationals and injured two more. The Kurdistan Regional Government labeled it as a “terrorist” attack and demanded the federal government to take action to stop these assaults.
“The coalition condemns the criminal bombing that targeted the Khor Mor field, and the prime minister announced that clues have been found that would lead to those involved being brought to justice once the investigation is complete,” said a statement from Iraq’s State Administration Coalition after a Baghdad meeting also attended by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.
The State Administration Coalition is an alliance of Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish political parties in Iraq that successfully broke the political deadlock that left Iraq without government for over a year. The coalition backed then-prime minister-designate Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and voted to elect his cabinet in October 2022.
Khor Mor in Sulaimani’s Chamchamal district frequently comes under attack, reportedly by Iran-affiliated Iraqi militias taking advantage of its strategic and economic importance for the Kurdistan Region, leading to major power disruptions across the Kurdistan Region and hindering expansion plans at the site.
Ramik Ramazan, the mayor of Chamchamal, told Rudaw that the drone targeted the same spot that was hit by Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups in January. The victims were fixing damage caused by the earlier strike.
The attack was also condemned by Iraqi and Kurdish officials.
"I would like to emphasize that this attack will put the stability and tranquility of the country in jeopardy. The relevant authorities in Iraq should do their duty by preventing such attacks and finding the perpetrators, regardless of which party they are affiliated to, let them face the legal consequences," President Barzani said in a statement late Friday.
Khor Mor field produces 452 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, according to Dana Gas. The strike affected power generation.
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