Drone attacks halt oil production in Iraq’s Kurdistan for third day

Oil production in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region has been disrupted for the third day in a row following a series of drone attacks targeting key oilfields, according to operators and regional security sources.

Norwegian energy company DNO announced the temporary suspension of production at its Tawke and Peshkabir oilfields located near Zakho, close to the Turkish border. The halt came after explosions caused by three bomb-laden drones damaged infrastructure at the sites. Despite the attacks, no casualties were reported, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Kurdistan’s counter-terrorism service confirmed the drone strikes on Facebook, emphasising that while material damage occurred, no injuries were sustained. “Damage assessment is underway,” DNO said, adding that it expects to resume production once the evaluation is complete.

In a separate incident later on July 16, another oilfield operated by U.S.-based Hunt Oil in the Dohuk region was also targeted by a drone attack. Details on the extent of the damage and operational impact remain limited.

These attacks follow a similar strike on July 15 at the Sarsang oilfield, which led to a temporary production halt just hours before the field’s U.S. operator signed a new development agreement with the Iraqi government.

On July 14, two drones struck the Khurmala oilfield near Erbil, damaging water pipes critical to operations.

No group has officially claimed responsibility for these attacks. However, initial investigations by Iraqi Kurdistan security officials suggest the drones originated from territories controlled by Iran-backed militias.

By Vugar Khalilov