U.S. 'Very Concerned' by KRG Drone Attacks, KRG Rep. Says
KRG's Washington Representative, Treefa Aziz, says the US is 'very concerned' by drone attacks on energy infrastructure. Her comments come amid 19 attacks in July, as experts predict a severe US response.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The United States is "very concerned" about the recent wave of drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region's energy infrastructure and American partner companies, the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Representative in Washington said Tuesday, as experts and former officials predict a severe U.S. response is forthcoming.
On Tuesday, KRG Representative Treefa Aziz spoke to Kurdistan24's correspondent in Washington, Issa Hassan, about the relentless attacks and the stance of the Donald Trump administration.
"America is very concerned about the recent drone attacks on our energy infrastructure, especially on the oil companies that have been our partners for more than a decade and are building our energy infrastructure in the oil and gas sector," Aziz said.
She expressed her happiness with America's condemnation of the attacks and outlined the KRG's hopes for further action. "We hope they will continue to monitor the situation and provide full support for American investors and the Kurdistan Region. We look forward to working closely with them and are watching for progress in the coming weeks," she noted.
The concern comes amid a significant escalation in attacks. Since July 1, a total of 19 drone and rocket attacks have been carried out on the cities of the Kurdistan Region. This includes four drone attacks with five drones on Erbil; five attacks with five drones on Slemani; four drone attacks on Duhok; and four attacks on Kirkuk, with an additional two attacks using three drones on Zakho.
Of that total, nine attacks specifically targeted the Region’s energy sector, hitting the oil fields of Khormala, Kormor, Sarsink, Atrush, Bay Hassan, Pishkhabur, Tawke, and Hunt Oil. The remaining attacks were on security forces and airports.
Warnings of a 'Severe' Response
The concern in Washington described by Aziz is echoed by former top officials and security experts.
In an exclusive interview with Kurdistan24, Joe R. Reeder, a former U.S. Under Secretary of the Army, called the attacks by Iranian-backed militias a "lethal, fatal mistake" and forecasted "very, very severe" consequences that will include both military action and sanctions.
Iraqi security and military expert Ahmed Sharif also told Kurdistan24 he predicts retaliatory strikes against the armed groups in the "coming days," arguing their attacks on energy sources threaten global security and make a U.S. response more likely.
These repeated assaults have intensified friction between Erbil and Baghdad. The KRG’s Ministry of Interior has previously criticized the federal government for what it describes as an "evasion of responsibility," accusing it in a statement of a "cover-up" regarding the security violations against the Kurdistan Region.
The economic stakes are high, with Reeder noting that American business interests in the region amount to approximately $110 billion. He also stressed the need for the Kurdistan Region to be equipped with better air defense systems to counter the drone threat.
Kurdistan24's correspondent in Washington, Issa Hassan, contributed to this report.
