A wave of drone strikes has targeted foreign-operated oil sites in the Kurdistan Region, escalating concerns about regional stability and drawing international condemnation. These strikes have disrupted vital infrastructure and raised fears about the future of Kurdistan oil security, a key concern echoed by local officials and global investors alike.
A drone struck the Sarsang oil block in Chamanke, operated by US company HKN Energy. This marked the second attack in just two days. Kurdish forces confirmed the hit, and images showed heavy smoke rising from the site. Security teams warned reporters to stay back due to gas leaks following the strike.
Guards at these facilities are armed and on high alert. A video from the Tawke oil field in Zakho—run by Norway’s DNO—captured them firing at an incoming drone. A separate drone crash also occurred near the Erbil Gas Power Station on the same day.
Since July 14, at least six major energy sites have come under attack. US firms HKN and Hunt Oil, along with Norwegian operator DNO, have all suffered hits. These events follow a sharp rise in regional tensions after the brief Israel-Iran war ended on June 24.
Analysts say this is part of a broader pattern. Michael Knights, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, linked the strikes to Iran-backed militias in Iraq. He explained that the campaign began as retaliation for perceived Kurdish support of Israeli and US actions, then evolved into direct pressure on the region’s energy assets.
Despite Erbil’s neutral stance during the Israel-Iran conflict, militias appear intent on punishing the Kurdistan Region. President Nechirvan Barzani had publicly condemned Israel’s strikes and spoke with Iran’s foreign minister, but that has not stopped attacks from escalating.
The motive seems clear: weaken the KRG’s position in oil negotiations and force political concessions. Drone strikes have already halted over 60 percent of the Kurdistan Region’s oil output. This growing threat to Kurdistan oil securitycould stall a crucial deal between Erbil and Baghdad to resume suspended oil exports.
The crisis intensified after Baghdad suspended public salaries in May and accused the KRG of breaching federal oil agreements. Meanwhile, Kurdistan had signed $110 billion in energy deals with US firms, fueling more political friction.
KRG officials blame Iran-linked militias within Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). Aziz Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Staff to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, accused these militias of targeting vital infrastructure with impunity.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered an investigation. Still, KRG officials claim the perpetrators are already known and little action has been taken. Tensions spiked earlier when Baghdad’s military spokesperson rejected KRG claims against PMF involvement.
Myles B. Caggins III, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan, demanded urgent action. He said, “The government of Iraq must protect its commercial oil sites.” He added that APIKUR member firms have paused operations, resulting in major economic losses for the whole country.
The United States also condemned the attacks. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized Iraq’s duty to protect international investors and national infrastructure.
Baghdad and Erbil reached a partial breakthrough. The federal government approved the resumption of Kurdish oil exports and promised to restore public salaries. Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the move but called for stronger steps to end attacks and ensure Kurdistan oil security.
Unless action follows words, experts warn that the Kurdistan Region’s economy and autonomy could suffer lasting damage. Militias continue to use drones as tools of pressure, and the oil fields remain under threat.