Terrorist Attack on Iraqi Kurdistan's Khor Mor Gas Field Causes Widespread Blackouts

A significant gas field in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Khor Mor, was targeted in what authorities have described as a "terrorist attack" late Sunday night. The assault, which occurred in Sulaymaniyah province, resulted in widespread blackouts across the region, according to statements from the Kurdish Electricity and Natural Resources ministries. These ministries characterized the strikes as a "terrorist attack" and indicated that efforts were underway to mitigate its impact. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.

In response, Iraq's Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi has ordered the establishment of a joint investigation committee, working in conjunction with Kurdish authorities, to probe the attack. The Kurdistan region's Electricity Ministry reported that approximately 2.8 gigawatts of power generation capacity was lost due to the strike. The Khor Mor field has been a frequent target, particularly during the Iran war, with Iraqi Kurdish officials often attributing these attacks to Tehran-backed militia groups aiming to destabilize the region's vital gas sector.

Omed Ahmed, a spokesperson for the Electricity Ministry, stated that the attack and the subsequent suspension of gas exports would lead to a reduction in electricity generation on the national grid by 2.5 to 2.8 gigawatts. To avert a complete blackout, the ministry is currently supplying power to critical facilities like hospitals and water stations by utilizing hydropower stations and fuel-powered plants.

Dana Gas, the joint field operator, confirmed on Monday that production remains suspended following the attack. In a statement released to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Sharjah-based company reported that the attack ignited a fire, which has since been extinguished, and confirmed that there were no personnel injuries. The extent of the damage is currently being assessed.

This is not the first time Khor Mor has been targeted. The field has frequently come under attack, with Iraqi Kurdish authorities consistently accusing Iran-backed factions of attempting to destabilize the region's gas infrastructure. In July, Dana Gas temporarily shut down its main production sites at the field due to credible security threats. A significant attack in November of last year also halted production and caused blackouts in the Kurdistan region, with Iran-backed factions again being blamed, drawing widespread regional condemnation.

Recent weeks have seen heightened tensions between the Iraqi government and various militia groups. Prime Minister Al Zaidi has been attempting to assert state authority over armed factions operating outside official command structures. One such militia, Kataib Hezbollah, has openly challenged what it perceives as efforts to curtail its political and economic influence. The government's initial plan to bring these groups' weapons under state control by a September 30 deadline, coinciding with the departure of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition from Iraq, has been postponed. The deadline has been extended to at least June 30, 2027, as the government navigates resistance from influential factions.

Since taking office in May, Prime Minister Al Zaidi has been under pressure from the United States to curb Iranian influence within Iraq, particularly through its associated armed groups. Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed that the US Treasury Department has requested Baghdad to close most border crossings with Iran as part of Washington's strategy to increase economic pressure on Tehran. Hussein noted the difficulty of closing all official and unofficial crossings, citing potential economic impacts, and confirmed ongoing discussions with the US regarding the matter. Last month, Iraq did close the Al Sheeb border crossing with Iran, which led to protests from Tehran and local officials in Maysan province. Minister Hussein added that the US has requested the closure of all but two border crossings, one of which is located in the Kurdistan region.