Kurdistan Region Hit by 19 Drone Strikes on Oil Fields and Infrastructure in 17 Days

Kurdistan 10:23 AM - 2025-07-17

Smoke rises after a drone attack targeted an oil facility in Zakho on July 16, 2025.

Since the start of July, the Kurdistan Region has come under repeated drone attacks targeting multiple locations, including oil fields, security installations, and airports. According to data compiled by PUKMEDIA, there have been 19 drone strikes since 1 July: four in Erbil, five in Sulaymaniyah, four in Duhok, four combined drone and missile strikes in Kirkuk, and two in Zakho.

Of these, nine attacks specifically targeted oil installations such as Khurmala, Khor Mor, Sarsing, Atrush, Bai Hassan, Fishkhabur, Tawke, and Hunt Oil. The remaining assaults were directed at security forces and airport infrastructure.

PUK Condemns Destabilising Attacks

In a meeting held on Wednesday, the Leadership Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) discussed the ongoing wave of drone strikes on various parts of the Region, including strategic economic facilities.

The PUK leadership strongly condemned what it described as aggressive acts aimed at undermining national stability and economic security. The meeting called upon the federal government to fulfil its constitutional and national responsibilities, safeguard the people of the Kurdistan Region, hold the perpetrators accountable, and prevent further serious security breaches.

Iraqi Presidency Decries Targeting of Oil Fields

The Presidency of the Republic also denounced the attacks, particularly those aimed at oil fields in Khurmala (Erbil) and Sarsing (Duhok). A statement received by PUKMEDIA warned that the recurrence of such brazen assaults threatens national stability, undermines the economy, and endangers public interests and citizen safety.

The Presidency urged enhanced efforts to protect vital economic infrastructure and called on security agencies at both federal and regional levels to act swiftly to identify and bring the attackers to justice.

Kurdistan Region Presidency: Sovereignty at Risk

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region issued a firm statement condemning the drone strikes, particularly those that hit the Sarsing and Khurmala oil fields. The statement, shared with PUKMEDIA, urged Baghdad to take immediate and decisive measures to stop these attacks and to pursue those responsible.

The Presidency stressed that such actions jeopardise not only the Region’s stability but also Iraq’s broader sovereignty and its attractiveness to domestic and foreign investors.

U.S. Condemns Strikes on Oil Infrastructure

The United States Consulate General in Erbil expressed its condemnation of the drone strikes on key oil infrastructure in Khurmala and Sarsing. In a statement obtained by PUKMEDIA, the U.S. Consulate called the attacks unacceptable, asserting that they compromise Iraq’s sovereignty and impede efforts to foster foreign investment.

The statement urged the Iraqi government to assert its authority to prevent armed groups from carrying out such operations and to launch a full investigation to hold those responsible to account.

Prime Minister Orders Immediate Investigation

Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, has instructed the relevant authorities to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the recent drone strikes on two oil fields in the Kurdistan Region.

His spokesperson, Sabah al-Numan, stated that these attacks represent a direct threat to the Iraqi people’s interests and an affront to efforts aimed at promoting national stability and development. Al-Numan suggested the timing and nature of the assaults indicate a deliberate attempt to disrupt the country and damage critical institutions.

The Prime Minister emphasised that all government bodies would act decisively to safeguard the nation’s vital infrastructure, uphold sovereignty, and ensure such acts do not recur.



PUKMEDIA