US-operated oil field in Iraqi Kurdistan hit by drone strike

Operations at a US-run oil facility in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region were halted following a drone strike, adding to the series of ongoing attacks on the local infrastructure, The New Arab via Reuters reported on July 15th.

The attack, which targeted the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province, was condemned by the Kurdistan Regional Government as “an act of terrorism” against essential economic resources. 

HKN Energy, the US-based company managing the site, reported that the explosion happened around 7:00 am local time. Although a fire broke out, it was quickly contained, and no injuries were reported.

“Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured,” the company stated.

The US Embassy in Baghdad condemned the strikes as “unacceptable”, urging Iraq to act decisively and prevent armed actors from targeting sites where Iraqi and international companies have “invested in Iraq’s future”. 

The strike comes amid a broader surge in unclaimed drone and rocket assaults across Iraqi Kurdistan, including similar incidents on July 14th that targeted an airport housing US troops and an oil field in neighbouring Erbil province. No group has taken responsibility for the attacks.

In response to rising threats and the broader Iran-US tensions, US military bases across Iraq have reportedly heightened security measures in recent weeks.

Often, conflict within the region is linked to the regional proxy struggles between Iran, the United States and its regional allies.

Earlier this month, Kurdish officials pointed to the Iran-aligned Hashed al-Shaabi, now incorporated into Iraq’s armed forces, as responsible for a similar drone strike. Baghdad dismissed this claim. 

These incidents unfold amid deepening disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdish region over oil revenues, with a major export pipeline to Turkey suspended since 2023.

In May, Baghdad challenged the Kurdish government’s authority to sign gas deals independently, filing a legal complaint over agreements with two U.S. firms, including HKN Energy.

Yet hours after the latest drone strike, Iraq’s oil ministry revealed a new partnership with HKN to develop the Hamrin oil field, signalling continued cooperation with American companies.

The New Arab via Reuters, Maghrebi.org