Drone Strikes Hit Multiple US-Run Oil Fields in Iraqi Kurdistan

A drone strike hit the Sarsang oil field in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, operated by U.S.-based HKN Energy Ltd., causing an explosion and a fire that forced the suspension of operations. This attack is part of a series of drone strikes targeting oil facilities in northern Iraq's Kurdish region, with a similar strike occurring the day before in Erbil province. No casualties have been reported, and emergency teams have contained the fire, but the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The Kurdish regional government condemned the attacks as terrorism against vital economic infrastructure and urged the Iraqi federal government to prevent further incidents and hold perpetrators accountable. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad also condemned the strikes, calling on Iraq’s government to exercise authority to stop armed actors from attacking sites involving both Iraqi and international investments. These attacks have heightened tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdish authorities, complicating the region's energy sector security.