Peregraf – Mark Savaya, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy to Iraq, said that "armed groups operating illegally and driven by hostile foreign agendas were responsible for the attack on the Khor Mor gas field on Wednesday night", calling for decisive action from the Iraqi government.
Savaya stressed that Baghdad must move swiftly to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“The Government of Iraq must identify those responsible for this assault and bring them to justice. Let it be unequivocal: there is no place for such armed groups in a fully sovereign Iraq,” he said.
He added that the United States would fully support Iraq in holding these groups accountable: “Every illegal armed group and supporter will be tracked, confronted, and held accountable.”
Savaya reaffirmed U.S. support for the Kurdistan Region within a united Iraq, urging closer security coordination between Baghdad and Erbil to protect critical energy and economic facilities.
“The United States supports a strong Kurdistan within a united and stable Iraq. We encourage Baghdad and Erbil to deepen their security cooperation and work closely to safeguard vital economic and energy infrastructure,” he noted.
The envoy also reiterated Washington’s commitment to strengthening Iraq’s defense capabilities and building its national forces.
“The United States reaffirms its steadfast commitment to assist the Government of Iraq in enhancing its defense capabilities. Together, we will continue to protect Iraq’s resources, defend its sovereignty, and ensure the security and well-being of all its citizens.”
The remarks come after the Wednesday late-night strike on the Khor Mor gas field in Chamchamal district of Sulaymaniyah Governorate, which forced the halt of gas exports at 11:30 p.m. and caused power disruptions across parts of the Kurdistan Region. Khor Mor, the Region’s largest gas field operated by Dana Gas, has been repeatedly targeted in drone and missile attacks over the past two years, including a deadly strike in April 2024 that killed four workers.