Sulaimaniya City in Iraqi Kurdistan Plunged into Darkness After Khor Mor Gas Field Attacks

Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan is facing severe electricity shortages after attacks on the Khor Mor gas field, the largest in Iraq, resulted in a loss of 2,500 megawatts of electricity production. The Emirati company Dana Gas, which operates the field, has suspended production operations following the attack last Friday that killed four workers.

The Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Electricity has described the energy situation as very bad", with only 1,500 to 1,600 megawatts of electricity available, not enough to meet the needs of the region's provinces as summer approaches. The ministry stated there are no solutions other than resuming gas production from Khor Mor, as three giant power plants in the region are entirely dependent on gas from this field.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has accused armed factions associated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of being behind the attack, which involved a suicide drone and caused significant material damage. The Iraqi government has pledged to investigate, and the KRG has provided information to Baghdad detailing the attack and the launch location of the drone.

Why this matters: The electricity shortages caused by the attack on the Khor Mor gas field are having a crippling effect on the Kurdistan Region, particularly as energy demands rise with the approaching summer. The incident also highlights the fragile security situation and political tensions in the region.

Some Kurdish political observers have speculated that militia groups linked to Turkey might be behind the attack, while others believe internal parties serving external agendas are responsible, aiming to obstruct rapprochement between Baghdad and Erbil on the gas file and prevent Iraq from achieving self-sufficiency in gas. The federal government in Baghdad has directed the dispatch of liquefied gas to the Kurdistan Region to help fuel electricity generation in the wake of the attack.

Dana Gas and its partners have taken steps to resume production at Khor Mor in a phased manner, implementing new safety measures after the governments of Baghdad and Erbil took "concrete actions" to significantly strengthen defenses at the field. However, the suspension of work is not only due to technical issues but also psychological concerns among workers following the fatal attack. No group has claimed responsibility so far.

Key Takeaways

• Khor Mor gas field attack caused 2,500 MW electricity loss in Kurdistan, Iraq.
• Kurdistan faces severe electricity shortages, with only 1,500-1,600 MW available.
• KRG accuses PMF-linked armed factions of the attack, which used a suicide drone.
• Electricity shortages cripple Kurdistan as summer approaches, highlighting regional tensions.
• Baghdad dispatched liquefied gas to Kurdistan, while Khor Mor resumes production.