Peregraf
Three drone bombers struck key oil infrastructure in the Zakho Autonomous Administration early Wednesday morning, intensifying an alarming wave of attacks that have rocked the Kurdistan Region in recent weeks.
Kurdistan’s Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) announced that at 6:00 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., two drones targeted the DNO oil field in Pishkhabur, while a third drone hit the DNO-operated Tawke oil field at 7:00 a.m. No casualties were reported, but material damage was sustained at both sites.
Since June 30, at least eleven drone-related incidents have been recorded across Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Zakho. Targets have ranged from oil and gas fields to military installations and civilian areas, including refugee camps—raising serious alarms about the region’s security and economic future.
The latest attacks follow two major incidents earlier this week. On July 14, two drones hit the Khurmala oil field in Erbil, and on July 15, another drone struck the Sarsang oil field in Duhok, causing a large explosion and suspending operations. HKN Energy, which manages Sarsang, confirmed the blast and the operational halt.
In response, the Presidency of the Republic of Iraq condemned the strikes as “terrorist acts” and called for urgent action to identify and prosecute those responsible. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has ordered an immediate investigation, emphasizing the need to restore security and safeguard national infrastructure.
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources also denounced the attacks, calling them deliberate assaults on the region’s economic backbone. “We urge immediate protection of strategic assets,” the ministry said, urging Baghdad to take responsibility for securing national resources.
The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil issued one of its strongest statements to date, describing the attacks as “unacceptable” and a direct threat to Iraq’s sovereignty and economic stability. Specifically referencing the Khurmala and Sarsang strikes, the U.S. called on the Iraqi government to prevent armed actors from operating freely and to hold perpetrators accountable.
“These assaults not only damage infrastructure but also erode investor confidence in Iraq,” the statement read, underscoring growing international concerns over Baghdad’s inaction.
With drone warfare spreading and accountability still lacking, officials and observers warn that Iraq’s ability to protect its resources—and retain international investment—is facing a critical test.