Drone attack halts gas exports from Khor Mor field in Iraqi Kurdistan
Iraq’s Kurdistan Region halts gas exports to power stations after a drone attack hits the Khor Mor field in Sulaymaniyah.
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Black smoke rises from damaged oil storage tanks following drone attacks on an oil field in the Sarsang district of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, on July 17, 2025. (AP)
The Kurdistan Region’s Ministries of Natural Resources and Electricity announced on Thursday that gas exports to power generation stations have been halted following a drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field in the Chamchamal district of Sulaymaniyah.
In a joint statement, the ministries confirmed that the strike forced an immediate shutdown of gas flows feeding key power plants across the region, raising concerns over potential disruptions to electricity production.
Authorities coordinate with Dana Gas
According to the statement, technical teams from both ministries are in direct contact with Dana Gas, the Emirati operator of the Khor Mor field, to assess the consequences of the attack and work toward restoring normal operations.
The ministries said investigative efforts are underway to determine the extent of the damage and the timeline needed for system recovery.
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Explosion heard; initial reports of injuries
Local sources reported hearing an explosion in the vicinity of the field shortly after the drone strike. Early information suggests that injuries may have occurred, though officials have yet to release details on casualties or the nature of the damage.
No party has claimed responsibility for the attack, and authorities have not provided additional information on the drone used or the origin of the strike.
The Khor Mor complex, owned by the company, has experienced multiple attacks in recent years. In April 2024, Dana Gas announced the Khor Mor complex, following a drone attack that killed four people present at the site.
Unclaimed drone attacks
The attack on the Khor Mor complex follows a series of unclaimed drone strikes that targeted energy facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan in July.
The Counter-Terrorism Agency in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq announced, in mid-July, that four one-way attack drones attacked three oil fields in the independently administered Zakho area and Duhok Governorate. It noted that two explosive-laden drones attacked at 6:00 am and 6:15 am the oil field of 'DNO' company in Peshkhabur, which falls under the independent administration of Zakho.
At 7:00 am, another armed drone targeted the DNO oil field in Tawke, located in Zakho’s autonomous region, followed by a second attack at 7:14 am when an explosive-laden drone struck the Hunt Oil field in the Baadre area of Sheikhan district, Duhok province. However, the Counter-Terrorism Agency confirmed that there were no casualties or material damage in either incident.
A drone attack also disrupted oil production at the Sarsang oilfield in the Dohuk region of Iraqi Kurdistan, prompting a temporary suspension of operations, the region’s Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed on July 15.
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