Top Kurdish, Iraqi Officials Vow 'Final' Probe into Drone Attacks

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Following a series of drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region, top Iraqi and Kurdish security officials pledged a "final" investigation on Monday, with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) detailing the severe economic consequences on oil production and issuing a firm warning that it will take all necessary measures to defend itself if the threats are not stopped.

The high-stakes meeting took place in Erbil after a high-level Iraqi delegation, led by National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, arrived in the capital around 9:00 AM. The delegation, which includes the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, Qais al-Muhammadawi, and other senior Iraqi security officials, was welcomed by KRG Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed.

In a joint press conference, Minister Ahmed announced that the federal delegation, composed of representatives from most of Iraq's security and military institutions, had arrived to conduct a joint investigation into the drone attacks that have recently targeted the region's oil fields.

However, Ahmed voiced deep frustration with past efforts, highlighting a history of inaction. "Unfortunately, these attacks have been repeated several times, and in the past, several other committees have been formed, including joint ones," he stated. "Thorough investigations were conducted, and they reached definitive conclusions. However, until now, no necessary measures have been taken, and no limits have been set for these groups."

Expressing a clear demand for concrete results, the Interior Minister said the KRG hopes this will be the last such committee needed. "We hope that the arrival of this joint committee will be the final one, so that this committee can reveal the truth for both sides," Ahmed said. "We hope that those behind these attacks will be identified and handed over to the federal government so that security and legal measures can be taken against them, and so that the Kurdistan Region is not viewed as an enemy."

He added emphatically, "Limits must be set for these groups, and they must refrain from making threats and disrupting the peace and stability of the Kurdistan Region... These groups have crossed the line, and these actions must not be repeated."

The Interior Minister then detailed the tangible economic damage caused by the security vacuum. "Undoubtedly, these consecutive attacks have had a direct impact on the energy sector, as several oil companies were compelled to suspend operations due to the deteriorating security situation," Ahmed said. "Production at the affected facilities was temporarily halted. Given that oil exports from the Kurdistan Region were already suspended, and production had been reduced accordingly, these recent attacks have further decreased output."

He added that this drop in production directly impacted the KRG's commitments to the federal government. "As a result, we were unable to meet the required production levels requested by SOMO under the latest agreement between Erbil and Baghdad. It is important to note that the oil fields will need time to restore their previous levels of productivity."

Ahmed also issued a stern message, expressing hope for a resolution but also making the KRG's position on self-defense clear. "I sincerely hope this issue can be resolved by the investigative committee," he stated. "However, should it remain unresolved, we will not remain silent. The Kurdistan Region will take all necessary measures to defend itself against such attacks."

In a show of full commitment from the KRG, Ahmed confirmed that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani had directed all regional institutions to provide "full cooperation" and share all available evidence and information to facilitate the committee's work.

From the federal side, National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji echoed the gravity of the situation. "We are in Erbil today to discuss and investigate the drone attacks on the oil fields of the Kurdistan Region," al-Araji said. "These attacks harm Iraq's reputation and economy."

Al-Araji condemned the assaults and vowed that justice would be pursued. "These attackers must be brought to justice. We condemn these attacks, whether they originate from within the Kurdistan Region or from outside the Kurdistan Region," he stated.

He also delivered a message of unity and acknowledged the cooperation from the KRG's leadership. "We express our thanks and appreciation to President Barzani, the President of the Region, Nechirvan Barzani, and the Prime Minister of the Region, Masrour Barzani, for the coordination they have shown with us," al-Araji said. "We assure you that the strength of the Kurdistan Region is the strength of Iraq and Baghdad."

The National Security Advisor confirmed that the investigation has the full backing of the federal government's highest levels. "Any targeting of Iraq's interests endangers the interests of the Iraqi people. Therefore, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is determined to identify these parties through an investigative committee," he said, adding that the federal government and its technical committee aim to "hold the aggressors accountable" but are awaiting the results of the investigation before disclosing details.