Iraq Says It Has Identified Drone Attackers on KRG Oil Infrastructure
Iraqi military says foreign-made drones used in recent attacks were launched from within Iraq by a single, identified party, whose identity has not been revealed amid ongoing security operations.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Iraqi military has identified the single party responsible for a recent wave of drone attacks on military bases and radar systems, announcing Friday that the foreign-manufactured drones were launched from within Iraq.
Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, revealed in a statement on Friday, that a special committee's investigation had concluded its work. Al-Numan confirmed the drones carried warheads of varying weights and were all of a single type.
"The special committee investigating this matter has precisely identified the launch sites of these drones, and the drones were launched from within Iraq," al-Numan stated. He added, "In our investigations, we have concluded that all the drones are of a single type and that only one party carried out this act."
While al-Numan indicated that the party responsible for the attacks has been identified, he did not reveal their identity.
The announcement comes amid a large-scale security operation launched by Iraq's Joint Operations Command to pursue those behind recent "hostile" attacks on the country's oil fields. Ordered by Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the operation targets vast areas in western Nineveh and Salah al-Din to find those involved in "undermining the security and stability of Iraq."
These developments follow at least seven drone attacks between July 14 and July 16 that struck vital energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region, including the Khurmala, Sarsang, Peshkhabour, and Tawke oil fields.
The attacks, which affected international operators HKN Energy and DNO, were described as "terrorist acts" by Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Reber Ahmed.
The strikes have drawn sharp international condemnation. The British Embassy in Baghdad stated they "damage Iraq's economy, and undermine Iraq's stability," echoing a U.S. State Department statement that called the attacks a threat to "Iraq’s stability and economic future."
Pressure has also mounted from the U.S. Congress, with threats that Iraq could be blocked from its oil revenues if Baghdad does not take "decisive action" against what was described as "Iran-backed Iraqi militias."
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, they are widely attributed to "outlaw Iraqi militia groups." Despite an investigation being launched by the Prime Minister, no arrests have been reported.
