Kurdish Minister Rebuts Allegations Regarding Khor Mor Gasfield Attack
Deputy Minister Ahmed Mufti rejects claims of internal sabotage following the critical energy facility strike.
1Official Rejection of Claims
Ahmed Mufti, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Region, dismissed allegations that Kurdish groups orchestrated the attack on the Khor Mor gasfield. He labeled these suggestions as nonsense and urged officials to refrain from speculation. Mufti emphasized that the government is fully cooperating with the ongoing official investigation launched by Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi.
2Conflicting Security Narratives
Basim Al Badri, head of Iraq’s National Security Department, previously suggested that internal feuding among Kurdish groups could be responsible for the strike. Mufti expressed surprise at the speed of this statement, noting it was made within 24 hours of the incident. He argued that such claims are emotional rather than based on verified evidence.
3Severe Energy Supply Impact
The attack on the Khor Mor facility caused significant disruptions to Iraq’s energy infrastructure. According to estimates by operator Crescent Petroleum, approximately 10 million people were left without electricity and cooking fuel. Consequently, the market price of electricity more than doubled, highlighting the critical nature of the facility to the nation's daily power supply.
4Technical Capabilities and Skepticism
Industry insiders operating at the Khor Mor site maintain that they possess the technical capability to track the trajectory of incoming drones. One source described the government's internal sabotage theory as insulting, comparing the claim to stating the sky is green. This suggests a significant gap between security officials and the technical operators on-site.
5Extent of Facility Damage
Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, confirmed that the recent strike was among the worst of the 12 attacks recorded at the facility. The company is currently assessing the scale of damage to production equipment. Jafar noted that repairs will be extensive, occurring at a time when regional tensions were perceived to be de-escalating.
6Government Response and Sovereignty
Jafar praised the Iraqi government’s swift response, characterizing the strike as an assault on Iraq’s sovereignty and its people. Prime Minister Al Zaidi has formed an investigation committee to address the security breach. This follows previous meetings in June where the government promised to enhance protections and provide compensation for energy companies operating in the region.
7Broader Regional Security Context
The incident occurs as the Iraqi government struggles to disarm various Iran-backed Shiite militias operating within its borders. These groups have previously targeted energy facilities in the Gulf as a response to US involvement in Iran. The current investigation aims to determine if this pattern of regional proxy conflict influenced the latest attack on Khor Mor.
8Future Accountability Expectations
Operators are now demanding concrete steps from the Iraqi government to ensure long-term security. Unlike previous incidents, stakeholders are calling for the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators. The focus remains on whether the current investigation will move beyond promises to deliver tangible results, ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure against future drone strikes.