Security forces successfully intercepted a drone targeting the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq late Sunday evening, averting a potential attack. Sources confirmed that defensive measures were activated to prevent the drone from reaching the facility.
The incident, which caused no reported damage, saw air defenses engaging the approaching drone as it neared the Khor Mor field. It remains unconfirmed whether the drone was successfully downed. Sirens were activated at the gas field, and personnel were directed to secure areas as a precautionary measure.
The Khor Mor gas field, strategically located between Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah, falls within the autonomous Kurdistan Region. This vital energy installation has been the target of repeated attacks in recent years, though no group has claimed responsibility for the assaults.
Previous incidents at Khor Mor have drawn strong condemnation from Kurdish politicians, who have often attributed the attacks to Iran-aligned militant groups. In late April, four Yemeni workers were killed in a drone strike targeting the field. Prior to that, in January 2024, the site was struck by two Katyusha rockets.
At the time of the January attack, factions allegedly loyal to Iran were conducting numerous rocket and drone attacks against US-led international coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, who are involved in the fight against the Islamic State group. The thwarted attack on Khor Mor highlights the ongoing security challenges facing energy infrastructure in the region.
The security situation remains tense as authorities investigate the incident and work to reinforce defenses around critical infrastructure.
