Oil output in Iraqi Kurdistan cut by up to 200,000 barrels per day, Association of the Petroleum APIKUR says
DUHOK,—A drone strike hit an oilfield operated by Norwegian energy firm DNO in the Tawke area of the Zakho Administration in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Thursday, local security officials reported.
The Kurdistan Region’s counter-terrorism directorate said the incident marks the second attack on the site this week, as a series of drone strikes have disrupted energy infrastructure in the area.
DNO, which also manages the nearby Peshkabour field near the Turkish border, suspended operations at both locations following the explosions. No injuries were reported, officials said.
DNO had not issued any statement on its official website regarding the incident.
The attacks have caused significant disruption to oil production across Iraq’s Kurdish region.
Two energy officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, estimated that output has dropped by 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day due to the damage.
A separate drone hit the Ain Sifni oilfield, operated by U.S.-based Hunt Oil, on Wednesday in the Duhok province. Hunt Oil confirmed it had temporarily shut down its facilities while assessing the damage. No staff were harmed in the incident.
The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), which represents foreign energy firms in the region including DNO and Hunt, issued a statement condemning the drone strikes.
It said the majority of its members had suspended production, resulting in a collective reduction exceeding 200,000 barrels per day.
While no group has claimed responsibility, Iraqi Kurdish officials blamed the attacks on the Pro-Iran Shiite Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi.
Kurdish security sources said preliminary findings indicate the drones were launched from areas under the control of Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militia factions.
Jabar Yawar, former Secretary-General of the Ministry of Peshmerga, said on Wednesday that the attacks were being carried out by elements of the Islamic Resistance and Hashd al-Shaabi.
He linked the escalation to both the wider Iran-Israel conflict and internal political disputes involving the federal government in Baghdad.
Yawar noted that ongoing disagreements between the de facto Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s federal authorities—over oil revenues, budget payments, and public sector salaries—were likely contributing factors.
He added that, although the Interior Ministry has indirectly attributed responsibility to Hashd al-Shaabi, a joint investigative unit between Erbil and Baghdad has yet to be formed.
Iraqi Kurdistan continues to witness regular armed activity tied to broader regional rivalries, including those involving Iranian-aligned groups and Western interests.
Some analysts believe the recent series of drone attacks may be linked to Iran’s attempts to retaliate against Kurdish authorities, whom Tehran has accused of assisting Israeli operations within Iran in June.
(With files from Reuters | AFP | NRT TV | Agencies)
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