Qubad Talabani Condemns Khor Mor Attack as 'Major Terrorist Crime,' Urges Baghdad to Confront Armed Groups

Peregraf – Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani condemned the attack on the Khor Mor gas field late Wednesday, describing it as a “major terrorist crime” that directly targets the daily lives of citizens and the economic infrastructure of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

In a statement, Talabani warned that the repeated targeting of vital economic sites in Kurdistan represents a “dangerous development” requiring immediate, practical measures. He stressed that the Federal Government must urgently identify the perpetrators and those behind the attack, reveal them to the public, and ensure they face legal accountability and punishment. 

Talabani also criticized the role of armed groups operating outside the authority of the state, saying their continued attacks are “no longer acceptable” and pose a serious threat to political and security stability in Iraq. He emphasized that one of the main priorities for the next Iraqi government must be to put an end to this situation by confronting these groups, punishing them, and bringing all armed forces under full state control. 

Khor Mor, located in the Chamchamal district of Sulaymaniyah Governorate, is the largest gas field in the Kurdistan Region and a core pillar of its energy security. It supplies natural gas to power stations in Erbil, Chamchamal, and Bazian, providing a major portion of the Region’s electricity generation as well as fuel for households.

Last night’s attack forced a complete halt in gas exports at 11:30 p.m., leading to immediate disruptions in electricity production across the Kurdistan Region. The strike caused a fire in one of the main tanks, though no casualties were reported. Khor Mor has come under repeated drone and missile attacks over the past two years, including a deadly strike in April 2024 that killed four workers.