Drone attack targets Sulaimani's key gas field, causes outage

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Sulaimani province’s key Khor Mor gas field was attacked by at least an explosive-laden drone late Wednesday, causing a major power outage in the Kurdistan Region after the transfer of natural gas from the field to power stations was completely suspended. 

"We inform the citizens of the Kurdistan Region that tonight at 11:30, due to a drone attack on the Khor Mor field, all gas transfers to power stations have been halted. Currently, teams from both the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Electricity, along with Dana Gas company, are on the line to follow up on the consequences of the incident and normalize the situation," said both ministries in a joint statement.

Eighty percent of the Kurdistan Region’s power supply will be cut soon due to the drone attack, the electricity ministry’s spokesperson told Rudaw. The attack has already caused outage across the Region.

“Our teams are trying to avoid a complete blackout,” Omed Ahmed said, adding that they will prioritize sensitive and key governmental institutions in this regard. 

“More than 3,000 megawatts of electricity will be lost,” he added.

An engineer working at the field described to Rudaw how the attack took place. 

“First, an NGL storage tank caught fire. At the beginning, the flames were intense. The fire has not been put out yet, but I don’t think it will spread unless it is hit by another drone,” they said on the condition of anonymity. 

Iraq's Security Media Cell labeled the drone attack as "treacherous" and "serious terrorist act." 

It added that the attack did not cause any casualties.

"This constitutes a direct threat to the interests of Iraqis and a serious terrorist act to obstruct and delay efforts aimed at establishing security and economic stability."

The Cell stated that the perpetrators will be held responsible. 

Sulaimani International Airport said its flights have not been affected by the drone attack.

Earlier this week, drone sighting triggered sirens at the field. 

Located in Chamchamal district, Khor Mor gas field is operated by Pearl Petroleum, a consortium that includes UAE-based Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum. The field has come under numerous Katyusha and drone attacks in recent years, and the Kurdish authorities have blamed Iran-backed militia groups.

A drone on the field in April last year killed four Yemeni nationals, temporarily suspending production and disrupting electricity across the Kurdistan Region.

No group has claimed responsibility for the Wednesday drone attack but similar attacks on the field in recent years have been blamed on Iraqi militia groups. 

[Source: Rûdaw English]