Drone attack on Khor Mor gas plant takes out power through much of Kurdistan capital Erbil

CHAMCHAMAL — A suicide drone attack struck the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah province on Friday, killing at least four people, including foreign workers, and injuring at least three others, according to Ramk Ramazan, mayor of Chamchamal, where the field is located.

The Khor Mor gas plant, established in 2007 in Chamchamal’s Qadir Karam district, is a critical natural gas production site operated by UAE-based Dana Gas.

The attack disrupted gas deliveries to power stations, significantly reducing electricity production across the region. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s ministries of electricity and natural resources issued a joint statement revealing a loss of approximately 2,500 megawatts of electricity production due to the halt in gas supply.

Following the attack, much of Erbil descended into darkness, including the offices of 964media. Power has been restored in many parts of the capital but some places remain without electricity.

The gas field typically generates 4,200 megawatts of electricity daily, with 2,800 megawatts serving the Kurdistan Region and 1,400 megawatts distributed to neighboring provinces of Kirkuk and Mosul.

Efforts are underway to normalize the situation and promptly restore gas deliveries to the affected power stations, the KRG ministers stated.

“I strongly condemn this evening’s drone attack on the Kormor gas field in the Chamchamal district of Sulaymaniyah province, which unfortunately resulted in casualties and injuries, and led to a decrease and disruption in electricity production and the operation of the plant,” Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a late night statement.

“While I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of the martyrs and express my sympathy, wishing a swift recovery for the injured, I reiterate that such attacks endanger the peace and stability of the country. It is essential for the related authorities of the Iraqi federal government to fulfill their responsibilities in preventing these attacks and assaults, identifying the perpetrators from any party, and bringing them to justice.”

Peshawa Hawramani, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government, said: “Recent efforts have been made to improve the energy sector and the economic infrastructure in Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan Region. While steps are being taken to address issues rapidly, unfortunately, malicious acts continue to occur.

“Most recently, the Kormor gas plant was targeted in a terrorist attack, tragically resulting in the deaths of four Yemeni workers and causing significant damage to the facility. This damage has notably impacted electricity availability,” he explained. Hawramani further emphasized, “This repeated attack underscores the urgent need for containment and calls for immediate coordination and cooperation from relevant federal government agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice, preventing further incidents.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the site has been previously targeted, with the most recent attack occurring Jan. 25. Suspicions have been raised about Iran-backed military groups within the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces. Kurdish Peshmerga forces have retaliated by launching rockets at militia sites in Kirkuk province following earlier assaults.

Iran has also targeted the residences of prominent Kurdish businesspeople involved in the region’s energy sector with missile attacks. The attacks were launched under pretence of targeting Israeli positions, claims that have been categorically denied by the Kurdish authorities. Though both business figures targeted had ties to the Kurdistan energy sector.

This article has been updated with quotes from Kurdistan Region officials and latest death tolls