A U.S.-owned oil field in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region has come under drone attack, forcing the suspension of operations. The oil field is located in Duhok province.
The attack took place on Tuesday, compelling the company to halt production activities at the site.
According to media reports, Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region frequently witnesses attacks targeting energy infrastructure. The Kurdistan Regional Government confirmed that the Sar Sang oil field in Duhok province was struck by a drone. The government described the attack, which targeted vital economic infrastructure in the region, as an act of terrorism.
The incident follows a similar drone strike on Monday at an airport in neighboring Erbil province, where U.S. troops are stationed.
HKN Energy, the U.S. company operating the oil field, stated that an explosion occurred at one of the production facilities of the Sar Sang oil field at around 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
In a statement, HKN Energy announced that operations at the oil field have been suspended until security can be ensured. Following the drone strike, a fire broke out at the site. However, no casualties were immediately reported.
The company added that emergency response teams at the oil field successfully extinguished the fire.
In recent weeks, drone and rocket attacks have surged in the Kurdistan region. Conflict-ridden Iraq often experiences such attacks, which are typically linked to Iran-backed groups opposed to the United States and its ally Israel.
The explosion at the Sar Sang oil field occurred just a day after at least three explosive-laden drones targeted sites in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Erbil Airport in Erbil province, where U.S. troops are based.
The other two drones struck the Khurmala oil field, causing significant damage, according to authorities. As of the time of reporting, no group has claimed responsibility for these attacks.
Currently, around 2,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in Iraq as part of the international coalition combating the Middle East-based militant group Islamic State (ISIS).
Sources: Reuters, AF.