Drone Attack Halts Production and Cuts Power at Iraq Gasfield

A drone attack targeting the Khor Mor gas facility in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region has ignited a fire and severely disrupted local electricity supplies, according to regional and Iraqi authorities. The Sunday night incident left more than 70 percent of the Kurdish area without electrical power after operations at the site were halted.

Responsibility for the strike remains undetermined, and officials have not yet established whether the event is tied to ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Verification of the incident came after Al Jazeera’s fact-checking arm, Sanad, reviewed footage showing thick smoke and flames billowing near the installation located within the Sulaimaniyah governorate.

Omid Ahmed, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Electricity, stated that the interruption cut off gas deliveries to power generation stations situated in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah, Bazian, Chamchamal, and Duhok. The disruption removed between 2,500 and 2,800 megawatts from the regional electrical grid. To mitigate the impact, the ministry announced plans to maintain power for essential infrastructure such as hospitals and water treatment units by utilizing alternative fuel sources and hydroelectric facilities.

Security sources speaking to Al Jazeera noted that the explosive-laden drone directly hit the facility's gas storage area, slashing overall energy capacity by up to 80 percent. Initial assessments shared by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi indicated that no casualties occurred during the incident. In response, al-Zaidi ordered the creation of a joint investigative team alongside Kurdish authorities to examine the details surrounding the breach.

Investigations Underway Following Iraq Drone Attack

The latest security breach highlights ongoing regional vulnerabilities. A similar drone strike targeted the exact same facility last year without any faction claiming responsibility.

A drone strike on the Khor Mor gasfield cut power to over 70 percent of northern Iraq.

Why it matters

The suspension of operations at the gasfield directly deprives a large majority of northern Iraq's Kurdish population of stable electricity, halting normal daily activities and straining critical public services. While essential sites like hospitals continue to receive limited power through alternative resources, the sudden loss of thousands of megawatts underscores the severe fragility of regional energy infrastructure amid broader geopolitical tensions.