SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The attacks on the oil and gas fields hit the national economy, Iraqi President Barham Salih has Tweeted on Saturday following the third rocket attack on Khor Mor Gas plant in Chamchamal district, Sulaimani Province.
On Saturday afternoon once again, the third rocket attack has been carried out on Khor Mor gas field in which the United Arab Emirates energy company (Dana Gas) operates.
Khor Mor is one of the largest gas projects in Iraqi Kurdistan and produces around 452 million cubic feet per day of gas.
Previously on Friday, At least two rockets were fired toward the UAE-based company in Khor Mor facility. While on Wednesday, the plant was attacked by rockets in which at least one Katyusha rocket fell near the gas complex. Later the company in a statement confirmed on Thursday that “Two contractor staff suffered from minor injuries following Wednesday’s rocket attack”.
At least three rocket attacks have been carried out on Khor Mor gas plant during the past 96 hours. Peshmerga forces have been deployed around the gas plant right after the third attack, carrying heavy arms.
Meanwhile, on Saturday the Kurdistan Region Ministry of Natural Resources in a statement said, that a ministerial delegation arrived at Khor Mor gas facility after it was struck by rockets. Aimed to meet the officials of the facility which is run by the United Arab Emirates energy company (Dana Gas), and investigate Friday’s rocket attack.
“No casualties had been reported,” and, “Gas production in the field is normal, including the distribution of it for the local houses and electricity production stations,” the ministry said prior to the third attack.
So far no groups have claimed the responsibility yet for the attacks. However, security officials have stated that the rockets were launched outside the Kurdistan Region administration, in other words, they were fired inside Iraq’s controlled territory.
Following the last attack, Iraq’s President Barham Salih said in a tweet, “the attacks on the oil and gas fields in Khor Mor and other areas are targeting the stability of the country and hitting the national economy”.
“We have no choice but to stand firmly against these vicious criminal attempts,” and “all national forces must unite to support the security services and consolidate the reference of the state and the rule of law,” Salih said in the tweet.
Rocket and drone attacks have become more frequent in recent months, Oil and gas facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan have been attacked several times. They coincide with Baghdad’s decision that urged the Kurdistan Region government to hand over its crude supplies.
However, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.
