Kurdish authorities in Iraq strive to restore Khor Mor gas supply following fatal attack

The Iraqi Kurdish ministries of electricity and natural resources are scrambling to restore operations at the Khor Mor gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan region after a deadly drone attack left at least four Yemeni workers dead and two others injured. The attack, which occurred late on Friday, also resulted in the suspension of gas supplies to power plants, leading to a significant reduction in power generation.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani have both condemned the incident. Rashid called for a swift investigation and accountability for the perpetrators, while Barzani labeled the attacks on energy hubs as indefensible and amounting to war crimes.

The Yemeni foreign ministry is working with Iraqi and Kurdish authorities to determine the circumstances of the attack and facilitate the repatriation of the victims’ bodies. The U.S. State Department has also weighed in, denouncing the attack as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.

Pearl Petroleum, a consortium that includes UAE oil and gas companies Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, holds the rights to exploit the Khor Mor and Chemchemal gas fields. The UAE’s foreign ministry has expressed solidarity with Iraq and support for its efforts to combat terrorism and maintain security and stability.

The attack on the Khor Mor gas field is just the latest in a series of drone and rocket attacks in Iraq, with many targeting bases housing troops from a U.S.-led military coalition. These attacks have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group of pro-Iran militias. The incident underscores the ongoing security concerns in the oil-rich nation.

The Khor Mor gas field is located near territories under Iraqi control and Kirkuk province, a disputed area between Baghdad and Erbil. Natural resources have long been a key factor in Kurdish aspirations for autonomy, dating back to the civil war in the 1990s.

As efforts continue to restore operations at the Khor Mor gas field, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Iraq and the Kurdistan region in maintaining security and stability in the face of external threats. The international community’s condemnation of the attack highlights the need for cooperation and vigilance in addressing security risks in the region.