ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Nations, United States, and the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) on Saturday morning condemned a drone attack on Sulaimani’s Khor Mor gas field that killed four Yemen nationals working at the site.
“The United States strongly condemns today’s attack on energy infrastructure in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” Matthew Miller, US state department spokesperson, said in a statement early Saturday morning.
“Attacks like this are an affront to Iraq’s sovereignty. We encourage the authorities to investigate and bring to justice those who are responsible. The United States will continue to work with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in support of Iraqi security, stability, and sovereignty,” he added.
Khor Mor is a key gas field operated by the UAE-based Dana Gas in Chamchamal town. It provides fuel for Kurdistan Region’s power generation plants. The field was hit by a drone on Friday evening, killing four Yemen nationals. Two other Yemenis were also injured, according to the district mayor.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) described the incident as a “terrorist” attack and demanded the federal government take action to stop these assaults.
Iraq’s prime minister ordered the establishment of a committee to investigate the incident.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the attack in a post on X and welcomed an investigation to “identify and bring the attackers to justice.”
The global coalition against ISIS said in a post on X that “These acts severely threaten Iraq’s stability and the prosperity of its people.”
Ramik Ramazan, the mayor of Chamchamal, told Rudaw that the drone targeted the same spot that was hit by Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups in January. The victims were fixing damage caused by the earlier strike.
The attack was also condemned by Iraqi and Kurdish officials.
"I would like to emphasize that this attack will put the stability and tranquility of the country in jeopardy. The relevant authorities in Iraq should do their duty by preventing such attacks and finding the perpetrators, regardless of which party they are affiliated to, let them face the legal consequences," Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a statement late Friday.
Khor Mor field produces 452 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, according to Dana Gas. The attack affected power generation.
“Due to a drone attack on the Khor Mor field, the sending of gas to power generation stations has been halted and as a result electricity generation has dropped by nearly 2,500 megawatts,” read a joint statement from the KRG’s electricity and natural resources ministries.
KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani said the attack caused "a huge amount of damage to the field and this damage will dramatically decrease the production of power.”
Electricity generation has dropped to just 1,260 MW, according to the spokesperson.The moment a drone hit Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province on Friday, killing four people.
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) April 27, 2024
📹: KRG
READ MORE: https://t.co/9nGxYliJhF pic.twitter.com/KCOWjLq3Cm
UK Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hitchen said on X that his country condemns the attack, adding, 'This is an unacceptable attempt to achieve political and economic goals through violence.
No group has claimed responsibility.
Updated at 10:14 pm
