US condemns drone attacks on Kurdistan Region oil sites, calls for accountability

ERBIL — The United States on Tuesday condemned recent drone strikes targeting key energy infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region and called on Iraq’s federal government to prevent future attacks and hold those responsible accountable.

“The United States condemns the recent drone attacks throughout Iraq, including the July 14 and July 15 drone attacks on critical infrastructure at the Khormala and Sarsang oil fields in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil said in a statement.

It urged Iraqi authorities to act, saying, “The Government of Iraq must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites within its own territory, including locations where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq’s future.”

“These attacks are unacceptable, undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, and hurt Iraq’s efforts to attract foreign investment,” the statement added. “We urge the Government of Iraq to investigate who is behind these attacks and hold them accountable.”

The condemnation comes after consecutive drone strikes this week — one on Monday at the Khurmala oil field in Erbil governorate and another on Tuesday at the Sarsang field in Duhok governorate. While no casualties were reported, both incidents caused fires and damage to facilities. HKN Energy, which operates Sarsang, confirmed the attacks and said it had suspended operations at Sarsang pending assessment.

Earlier Tuesday, HKN Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with Iraq’s Oil Ministry to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salah al-Din governorate.