Attacks By Sasar Drones In Iraq's Tawke Kurdistan Oil Field

Zakho, Kurdistan, Iraq/PHOTO Khoshhat via WIkimedia Commons

JAKARTA - The drone strike targets oil fields operated by Norwegian oil and gas company DNO, in Tawke, the Administrative Region of Zakho, northern Iraq, on Thursday.

This attack is the second in the field operated by the DNO since the wave of drone attacks began earlier this week.

The DNO, which operates the Tawke and Peshkabour oil fields in the Zakho area bordering Turkey, temporarily suspended production in the field following an explosion that resulted in no injuries, the counterterrorism service said.

The drone strike this week has reduced oil production from oil fields in Iraq's Kurdistan semi-autonomous region by 140,000 to 150,000 barrels per day, two energy officials said on Wednesday, as infrastructure damage forced several shutdowns.

Ain Sifni's oil field, operated by US-based Hunt Oil, was attacked on Wednesday in the Dohuk region of northern Iraq.

Hunt Oil said none of its team members were injured and the facilities were temporarily closed while they assessed the damage.

So far no group has claimed responsibility. However, Iraqi Kurdistan security sources said an initial investigation showed the drone came from an area controlled by Iran-backed militias.