Explosive drone hits Duhok oil field in latest strike on Kurdistan Region energy sites

DUHOK — A bomb-laden drone struck the Sarsang oil field in Duhok governorate early Tuesday, the latest in a string of aerial attacks on energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region, regional officials and the operating company confirmed.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Natural Resources said in a statement, “Early this morning, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, a terrorist attack was carried out using an explosive drone targeting the Sarsang oil field in Chamanke subdistrict in Duhok governorate. No casualties were reported.” The ministry condemned the incident as “a shameful and deliberate assault on the economic lifeline of the Kurdistan Region.”

HKN Energy Ltd., which operates the site, confirmed the attack in a statement posted on X: “An explosion occurred earlier today at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time at one of its production facilities in the Sarsang field.” The company said operations at the affected site have been suspended pending a full assessment.

Local civil defense teams responded to the scene. Bewar Abdulaziz, civil defense spokesperson in Duhok, told 964media, “The civil defense team from Chamanke and a unit from Atrush fire station are working to extinguish the fire at the Sarsang oil field. Although the extent of the damage is not fully known yet, no casualties have been reported — only material losses.”

The strike came less than 24 hours after another drone attack hit the Khurmala oil field in Erbil governorate, which also caused no injuries but drew strong condemnation from officials in the Kurdistan Region.

The incident coincided with a memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday in Baghdad between HKN Energy and Iraq’s Ministry of Oil to develop the Hamrin field. During the signing, Oil Minister Hayan Abdulghani said the ministry is aiming to expand production and gas investment through new partnerships. HKN Vice President Matthew Zais said the company is “very proud to work with the Ministry of Oil” and plans to rely on local talent for the project.

Also on Tuesday, a separate drone incident was reported in Sulaymaniyah province. Tekiya subdistrict administrator Mamad Rashid told 964media, “A drone crashed this morning in the Tekiya mountains. It’s unclear where it came from or what its target was. The location is remote and uninhabited. No damage or injuries have been reported. Border security and investigation teams have arrived on site.”

Pishtwan Mohammed, a local resident, said, “We’re still not sure what it was, but people suspect it was a missile or drone.”