SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Deputy of the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Qubad Talabani in a statement said on Saturday that the attacks on Khor Mor gas field will not affect gas production.
In a statement released by Talabani’s media office, it assured Kurdistan citizens that, “people’s needs will stay protected, the attacks won’s affect the natural gas production”.
Late on Saturday, Talabani met with Dana Gas officials, accompanied by Peshmerga Minister Shorsh Ismael and acting Minister of Kurdistan Natural Resources, at Khor Mor gas plant which is located in chamchamal district, Sulaimani province.
“Talabani assured Dana Gas officials that all efforts by the Kurdistan Region government will be made in order to protect the lives’ of employees inside the plant” the statement read.
“We are collaborating with Iraq’s government to prevent such an attack,” it said.
Khor Mor gas field in Qaderkarem sub-district of Chamchamal run by United Arab Emirates energy company (Dana Gas). It is one of the largest gas projects in Iraqi Kurdistan and produces around 452 million cubic feet per day of gas.
The facility has been targeted by rockets three times in a matter of one week in which two of the attacks were conducted throughout 48 hours.
On Saturday afternoon once again, the third rocket attack has been carried out on Khor Mor gas field in which the UAE-based company operates.
Previously on Friday, At least two rockets were fired toward 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”.
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.
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.
Khor Mor facility is currently surrounded by Heavy armed Kurdish forces of Peshmerga, and the Kurdistan Counter-terrorism Group (CTG) has been deployed as well, according to local officials.
