SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region— Four Yemeni workers were killed and several others were injured in a drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province’s Chamchamal district on Friday evening, as announced by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in a statement.
The attack, which occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time, inflicted substantial damage to the field. This resulted in a loss of nearly 2,500 megawatts of electricity in the Kurdistan Region, as the field serves as the primary supplier of gas for power generation in the Region, as stated by KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani.
“Due to the attack on the Khor Mor gas field, our electricity generation capacity has been reduced by 2,500 MW, leaving us with only 1,260 MW available,” Hawramani said in a statement.
“Specialized teams are currently engaged in efforts to expedite gas production, aiming to prevent prolonged electricity shortages.”
The KRG insists that these recurring attacks must cease immediately, urgently appealing for coordination and support from the appropriate federal government agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of this “terrorist act,” bring them to justice, and prevent any future occurrences of such acts.
Surveillance footage has captured a drone targeting the Khor Mor gas field, resulting in the deaths of four Yemeni workers and multiple injuries. The attack caused significant material damage and power cuts across the #Kurdistan Region. pic.twitter.com/017MCLsmEc
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) April 27, 2024
The authorities of the Kurdistan Region have vehemently condemned the attack and urged the Iraqi federal government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“I reiterate that these attacks pose a threat to the peace and stability of the country,” Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement.
“It is imperative that the relevant authorities within the Iraqi Federal Government fulfill their duty to prevent such attacks and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, irrespective of their affiliations.”
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani urged the federal government to credibly investigate the attack and hold the perpetrators accountable.
I strongly condemn tonight’s terror attack on Khor Mor. My thoughts and condolences are with the four civilians killed, and I wish the wounded a swift recovery. I have instructed the Ministry of Health to provide all necessary support.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) April 26, 2024
“According to the initial information the attacks come from a nearby region within Iraq,” he added.
US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, has also denounced the attack on what she refers to as the energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region. She urged Iraqi authorities to thoroughly investigate the attack and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
We strongly condemn tonight’s attack on energy infrastructure in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and understand workers at the site were killed and injured. We urge Iraqi authorities conduct a full investigation and bring those responsible to justice. We express our condolences for…
— Ambassador Alina L. Romanowski (@USAmbIraq) April 26, 2024
United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also condemned the attack.
“We welcome investigation to identify and bring the attackers to justice.”
We condemn the attack on Khor Mor gas field, which provides electricity to the public in the Kurdistan Region. Our condolences to the families of those killed, and we wish the injured speedy recovery. We welcome investigation to identify and bring the attackers to justice.
— UNAMI (@UNIraq) April 26, 2024
UK Ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hitchen, also denounced the attack, branding it as an “unacceptable attempt to achieve political and economic goals through violence.”
He stresses the imperative of holding those accountable for the attack, while extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
Assaults on the Khor Mor gas field are frequent. Earlier this year, two Katyusha rockets were aimed at the field but resulted in neither casualties nor significant damage.
