Peregraf
A high-level Iraqi government investigation has revealed key findings about the recent wave of drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region, including oil fields in Duhok and Zakho. The committee, formed by order of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, confirmed that the drones were manufactured outside Iraq but launched from specific locations within Iraqi territory.
Among the committee’s findings:
• Identifying the origin of the drones used in the attacks, which were equipped with warheads of varying weights and manufactured outside Iraq.
• Launch points were precisely identified inside Iraq, indicating a single perpetrator.
• The parties behind the attacks were uncovered, along with their coordination networks.
• A technical analysis of drone control systems provided intelligence agencies with accurate data supporting the investigation.
The Iraqi military has vowed legal action, calling the attacks a blatant violation of national sovereignty.
The announcement comes as Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad condemned the strikes as “terrorist acts targeting the Region’s economic nerve,” referring to repeated drone hits on key oil fields. Since late June, over ten attacks have targeted energy sites, military positions, and civilian areas across Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Zakho.
On Thursday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad dismissed the need for an investigation into the recent wave of drone strikes, saying their origin was “very clear,” though he did not name specific groups or locations.
“These are terrorist acts targeting the economic nerve of the Kurdistan Region,” Ahmad told reporters. “We are coordinating with the federal government to prevent these attacks and protect vital sites. We have also requested support from international coalition forces.”
Although Ahmad did not attribute blame directly, the KRG has previously accused elements within the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces – PMF), a powerful state-backed militia network, of orchestrating the attacks.
The call for federal intervention comes amid a sharp rise in drone attacks across the Kurdistan Region. On Thursday morning, a drone struck the DNO-operated Tawke oil field in Zakho at 10:55 a.m., according to the Kurdistan Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD).
A day earlier, three drones targeted the Tawke, Peshkabur, and Ain Sifni oil fields in Duhok province, causing material damage but no reported casualties.
Since June 30, more than ten drone-related incidents have been reported across Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Zakho. Besides energy facilities, other targets have included military sites, refugee camps, and civilian areas, raising fears about regional instability.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources described the escalation as “unprecedented,” confirming that at least five major oil fields had been attacked within a 35-hour span.