Kurdistan
A Kia vehicle confiscated by Peshmerga in disputed areas on July 27, 2022, Photo: Peshmerga's 70th Unit
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish forces seek coordination with the Iraqi army in the disputed areas in a bid to put an end to a series of recent rocket attacks against a key gas field controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Chamchamal, a Peshmerga commander said on Thursday.
Khor Mor gas field, operated by the UAE-based Dana Gas, has been targeted with rockets several times since June. Despite the deployment of more Kurdish troops to the area, the attacks continue, with the latest one being on Monday.
Mustafa Chawrash, who commands the Peshmerga forces who protect the field, told Rudaw's Sirwan Abbas on Thursday that they “will begin talks with the Iraqi army to fill this security vacuum,” referring to areas disputed by Erbil and Baghdad.
“We do not want to unilaterally set up bases there in order to avoid issues with the Iraqi army. We will speak with them and try to [convince them] that the area should be controlled by one of us,” he added.
The absence of Peshmerga and Iraqi army in some areas located between both forces has been exploited by the Islamic State (ISIS) and some Iraqi militia groups who often carry out rocket and drone attacks against the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region has been facing an unprecedented number of rocket and drone attacks since the beginning of the year, mostly blamed on Iran-backed militias.
Khor Mor field produces 452 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, according to Dana Gas.
Peshmerga forces said on Wednesday that they discovered the location where attacks against the gas field were carried out, confiscating a Kia truck with projectiles onboard - prepared for a new attack.
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