Baghdad says ready to help repair Kurdistan’s key gas field following attack

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The federal oil ministry is ready to help the Kurdistan Region’s authorities to repair damages at a key gas field following a drone attack, said the ministry’s spokesperson on Thursday.

“After the attack on the Khor Mor gas field, the Ministry of Oil is ready to assist the Kurdistan Region in every way possible,” Abdulsahib al-Hasnawi told Rudaw. “We are ready to fill the shortage that has been created by sending fuel and liquefied gas, as well as dispatching a technical team to repair the field.”

A drone attack targeted a storage tank at the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province late Wednesday, causing a blaze which was put out after several hours. 

The attack has been widely condemned and labeled as a terrorist attack, with the Kurdish officials calling on Baghdad to find the perpetrators. 

“We are one body, so we are ready to help the Kurdistan Region in every way,” noted Hasnawi.

The attack also reduced the Kurdistan Region’s electricity supply by 80 percent and disrupted the Kurdish government’s provision of power to northern cities under federal control.

Located in Chamchamal district, Khor Mor gas field is operated by Pearl Petroleum, a consortium that includes UAE-based Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum. The field has come under numerous Katyusha and drone attacks in recent years, and the Kurdish authorities have blamed Iran-backed militia groups.