Khor Mor Attack: Repercussions and Reactions

Reports 01:39 PM - 2025-11-29

Photo of the latest attack on Khor Mor gas field in Chamchamal, Sulaymaniyah, 26 November 2025.

At 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, the Khor Mor gas field in Chamchamal district, Sulaymaniyah, was subjected to an attack that ignited a major fire in one of its gas processing tanks and brought approximately 80% of electricity production across the Kurdistan Region to a halt.

Repeated Attacks on Khor Mor

According to research by PUKMEDIA, Khor Mor experienced 11 attacks last year, resulting in casualties. Despite these incidents, gas production continued, and electricity generation remained stable. 

Wednesday night’s attack, however, caused a complete cessation of gas output, directly affecting electricity supply. Daily electricity output dropped from 2,700–3,000 MW to 1,300–1,400 MW, distributed evenly across the Kurdistan Region, limiting supply to six to eight hours per day.

Repairs at the Khor Mor facility are currently underway, with normal electricity supply expected to resume within 48 hours. The operating company has requested guarantees to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Electricity of the Kurdistan Region expressed its gratitude to citizens for their cooperation and confirmed that all relevant authorities are working diligently to restore production.

PUK’s Commitment to Regional Energy Security

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has consistently prioritised the allocation of gas resources to serve the public. The PUK’s approach to gas management led the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to abandon its gas export project. Through the regional government, represented by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, the PUK reaffirmed its commitment to dedicating the Khor Mor field to the Kurdistan Region’s Runaki Project, which provides 24-hour electricity to citizens.

The recent attack underlined Khor Mor’s critical importance to public services, demonstrating that the region’s energy infrastructure relies heavily on this facility. The incident reinforced the public’s understanding of the PUK’s policies and strategic vision and prompted reactions both domestically and internationally.

Regional Response

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as “unacceptable” and emphasising that the response must be “firm and decisive.” He stated that arms must remain solely in the hands of the state and that all militias operating outside the law must be disbanded or dismantled.

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani characterised the assault as a “terrorist act and a serious threat to the economic infrastructure of Kurdistan,” calling for “concrete steps to confront it.” He stressed that “the federal government must hold the perpetrators accountable, and the continuation of such attacks is no longer acceptable.”

Iraqi Government Reaction

Iraqi President Abdullatif Rashid called for a comprehensive investigation and urged all political forces to unite to prevent further violence and tension. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani convened a high-level security meeting, establishing two investigative committees and a joint military command committee to follow up on the attack and ensure accountability.

The Coordination Framework of the Shia parties expressed support for the Prime Minister’s committees, highlighting that the attack constitutes a national threat requiring preventive measures. Other Iraqi figures condemning the incident included Qais al-Khazali, Ammar al-Hakim, Khamis al-Khanjar, Rayan al-Kaldani, the Mutahidun Party, and Mohsen al-Mandalawi.

International Reactions

The attack was also condemned internationally by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, France, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), and Türkiye.

A joint committee from the Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Governments visited the site six hours after the attack to investigate and assess the damage. They confirmed that the facility had been targeted using both missiles and drones and pledged to enhance airspace security over the site.

About the Khor Mor Field

Khor Mor is the largest gas field in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Situated in Chamchamal district, it was first discovered by a British oil company in 1928. Subsequent drilling confirmed substantial gas reserves. Production began in 2008 under an agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Dana Gas, reaching approximately 750 million cubic feet per day today.



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