A renewed wave of missile and drone attacks has affected communities, energy infrastructure, and essential services across the Kurdistan Region, underscoring the widespread consequences of the continuing regional conflict.
Recent Iranian strikes have targeted multiple locations, including Erbil and Sulaimani, resulting in deaths, injuries, and material damage. According to conflict monitors, attacks launched since late February have killed dozens of people and injured more than one hundred others in the Kurdistan Region.
During the past week, the Kurdistan Region experienced a significant increase in Iranian drone attacks, resulting in multiple fatalities, injuries, and damage to civilian infrastructure and property.
On July 17, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Region strongly condemned what it described as unjustified attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Kurdistan Region. The statement warned that the continuation of the attacks poses a grave threat to regional peace and security and risks further destabilizing the region. It called on Iran to immediately cease the attacks and respect the sovereignty and stability of the Kurdistan Region. It also urged the Iraqi federal government and the international community to take action to end the violations.
The Kurdistan Region Presidency also condemned the attacks, describing them as violations of Iraq’s sovereignty and warning that continued escalation threatens the security and stability of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and several European officials also condemned the attacks, calling for accountability and measures to prevent further escalation.
The United States likewise condemned the strikes. A US Department of State spokesperson described the attacks on Erbil as unacceptable and a clear violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, while reaffirming US support for efforts to protect the Iraqi people and preserve regional stability.
Energy Operations Suspended
The deteriorating security environment has forced several international energy companies to suspend operations in the Kurdistan Region.
Dana Gas temporarily halted production at the Khor Mor gas field after citing credible security threats. Khor Mor supplies a significant share of the Kurdistan Region’s electricity generation and household cooking gas.
The shutdown reduced available electricity generation by approximately 2,500 megawatts, affecting power supplies across the Region. The KRG Ministries of Natural Resources and Electricity established a joint team to reorganize electricity distribution and dispatch additional gas supplies to cities in an effort to prevent shortages for households.
American energy company HKN Energy also suspended its operations in the Kurdistan Region, including activities connected to the Sarsang and Atrush oil fields in Duhok province.
Canadian company ShaMaran Petroleum subsequently announced the temporary suspension of production and pipeline exports at both fields. The company said it would continue monitoring the security situation and resume production when conditions are considered safe for personnel and infrastructure.
The latest shutdowns follow earlier disruptions caused by the wider conflict. Operations at several facilities had only recently resumed after weeks of suspension, and parts of the Sarsang field had already suffered damage to storage facilities and production equipment.
Impact on Households and the Economy
The consequences of the attacks extend well beyond the immediate security situation.
Interruptions at oil and gas facilities have reduced electricity generation, disrupted fuel supplies, and placed additional pressure on household energy costs. Previous shutdowns at Khor Mor resulted in fewer hours of available electricity in some areas and increases in the price of cooking gas.
The suspension of production also affects public revenues, employment, international investment, and Iraq’s broader energy sector. International companies operating in the Kurdistan Region have repeatedly raised concerns about the security of their personnel and assets, while Kurdish officials have continued to call for stronger air defense capabilities to protect civilian areas and vital infrastructure.
These disruptions come at a time when Iraq and the United States are seeking to expand economic and commercial cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Continued attacks on internationally operated facilities risk undermining investor confidence and weakening efforts to build a more stable and diversified economy.
The Kurdistan Region has consistently maintained that it is not a party to the ongoing regional conflict. The KRG continues to call for de-escalation, respect for Iraq’s sovereignty, and coordinated action to protect the people of the Kurdistan Region and the infrastructure on which millions depend.
