27
Nov 2025
14:12 UTC
Iraq Alert: UAV strike impacts Sulaymaniyah’s Khor Mor gas field in KRG, causing explosion, power outages on November 26-27; underscores site as target for Iran-backed factions
Current Situation:
- Iraq’s Ministries of Natural Resources and Electricity issued a joint statement confirming that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strike on the Khor Mor gas field caused a complete interruption of gas supplies to regional power stations during the overnight hours of November 26-27.
- The UAV hit a liquid storage tank, triggering an explosion that resulted in widespread disruptions to gas flow and electricity generation in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil.
- Authorities stated that they were coordinating with the UAE firm operating the site, Dana Gas, to investigate the incident
- Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani condemned the UAV incident as a “terrorist attack” and called on the federal government to prosecute the perpetrators.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Source: Security Media Cell
Assessments & Forecast:
- The Khor Mor gas field is one of the region’s most critical energy assets and supplies most of the region’s power. It is developed and operated by the KRG in partnership with an Emirati-led consortium of foreign companies and supplies natural gas to major power plants in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and surrounding areas. The field has repeatedly been targeted by UAV and rocket attacks over recent years, with the latest attack coming immediately against the backdrop of an incident on November 23, which triggered sirens at the site.
- While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran-backed militias remain the most likely perpetrators, given their possession of one-way attack UAVs, operational capacity, and history of targeting KRG energy infrastructure to exert political influence or advance Iran-aligned objectives.
- The timing of the two most recent incidents, following a brief hiatus in UAV attacks and coinciding with Iraq’s post-election period and ongoing government formation process, suggests plausible political motivations. This may include a desire by hardline elements associated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)/Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) to coerce Kurdish parties into supporting pro-Iran blocs, or to undermine attempts by opposing factions to secure Kurdish political backing.
- Alternatively, it cannot be ruled out that the strike reflects an effort to specifically intimidate the consortium led by the Emirati firm, Dana Gas, which announced in October that a recent gas expansion project increased output from the site by 50 percent. This overall contributes to the KRG’s energy output and revenue, diminishing dependence on Iranian gas imports. In addition, on November 12, Dana Gas announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Syrian government on exploring the development of Syria’s gas fields. The Emirati firm was the first gas developer to sign such an agreement. This may have been interpreted as another indication that the company’s, and by extension, the UAE’s footprint is increasing regionally, including in arenas where Tehran and its regional allies retain interest.
- The attack underscores the ability of Iraqi militias with independent agendas to operate with impunity and target strategic oil and gas infrastructure, triggering significant service interruptions and broader economic disruptions. Such attacks highlight persistent vulnerabilities and risks within Iraq’s security landscape, as well as infrastructure in the KRG, which remains a high-value target for certain armed factions who view the country as a flashpoint arena for regional power competition.
- The strike also highlights Baghdad’s continued inability to effectively restrain militia activity or to secure foreign-backed projects in KRG territory, especially as these attacks continue to recur without ever leading to the apprehension of the actual perpetrators. This will continue to undermine investor confidence in Iraq, despite a broad improvement in the security landscape during the tenure of PM Muhammed Shia al-Sudani.
- FORECAST: The risk of additional attacks against the Khor Mor gas field or other key energy facilities in the KRG will remain elevated in the coming days and weeks, due to the current sensitive political climate in Iraq.
Recommendations:
- Those operating or residing in Iraq on November 27 and over the coming days are advised to avoid all travel to the Khor Mor gas field and other strategic oil and gas infrastructure in the KRG due to the latest attack and potential for further incidents.
- Take necessary precautions to secure business continuity in the event of power cuts or shortages throughout the KRG. Measures should include confirming that business locations have working generators, sufficient access to fuel for longer periods, and access to a number of flashlights.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
High
AFFECTED AREA
Erbil, Sulaymaniyah; KRG
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Extreme
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Confirmed
Current Situation:
- Iraq’s Ministries of Natural Resources and Electricity issued a joint statement confirming that an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strike on the Khor Mor gas field caused a complete interruption of gas supplies to regional power stations during the overnight hours of November 26-27.
- The UAV hit a liquid storage tank, triggering an explosion that resulted in widespread disruptions to gas flow and electricity generation in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil.
- Authorities stated that they were coordinating with the UAE firm operating the site, Dana Gas, to investigate the incident
- Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani condemned the UAV incident as a “terrorist attack” and called on the federal government to prosecute the perpetrators.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Source: Security Media Cell
Assessments & Forecast:
- The Khor Mor gas field is one of the region’s most critical energy assets and supplies most of the region’s power. It is developed and operated by the KRG in partnership with an Emirati-led consortium of foreign companies and supplies natural gas to major power plants in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and surrounding areas. The field has repeatedly been targeted by UAV and rocket attacks over recent years, with the latest attack coming immediately against the backdrop of an incident on November 23, which triggered sirens at the site.
- While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran-backed militias remain the most likely perpetrators, given their possession of one-way attack UAVs, operational capacity, and history of targeting KRG energy infrastructure to exert political influence or advance Iran-aligned objectives.
- The timing of the two most recent incidents, following a brief hiatus in UAV attacks and coinciding with Iraq’s post-election period and ongoing government formation process, suggests plausible political motivations. This may include a desire by hardline elements associated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)/Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) to coerce Kurdish parties into supporting pro-Iran blocs, or to undermine attempts by opposing factions to secure Kurdish political backing.
- Alternatively, it cannot be ruled out that the strike reflects an effort to specifically intimidate the consortium led by the Emirati firm, Dana Gas, which announced in October that a recent gas expansion project increased output from the site by 50 percent. This overall contributes to the KRG’s energy output and revenue, diminishing dependence on Iranian gas imports. In addition, on November 12, Dana Gas announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Syrian government on exploring the development of Syria’s gas fields. The Emirati firm was the first gas developer to sign such an agreement. This may have been interpreted as another indication that the company’s, and by extension, the UAE’s footprint is increasing regionally, including in arenas where Tehran and its regional allies retain interest.
- The attack underscores the ability of Iraqi militias with independent agendas to operate with impunity and target strategic oil and gas infrastructure, triggering significant service interruptions and broader economic disruptions. Such attacks highlight persistent vulnerabilities and risks within Iraq’s security landscape, as well as infrastructure in the KRG, which remains a high-value target for certain armed factions who view the country as a flashpoint arena for regional power competition.
- The strike also highlights Baghdad’s continued inability to effectively restrain militia activity or to secure foreign-backed projects in KRG territory, especially as these attacks continue to recur without ever leading to the apprehension of the actual perpetrators. This will continue to undermine investor confidence in Iraq, despite a broad improvement in the security landscape during the tenure of PM Muhammed Shia al-Sudani.
- FORECAST: The risk of additional attacks against the Khor Mor gas field or other key energy facilities in the KRG will remain elevated in the coming days and weeks, due to the current sensitive political climate in Iraq.
Recommendations:
- Those operating or residing in Iraq on November 27 and over the coming days are advised to avoid all travel to the Khor Mor gas field and other strategic oil and gas infrastructure in the KRG due to the latest attack and potential for further incidents.
- Take necessary precautions to secure business continuity in the event of power cuts or shortages throughout the KRG. Measures should include confirming that business locations have working generators, sufficient access to fuel for longer periods, and access to a number of flashlights.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
High
AFFECTED AREA
Erbil, Sulaymaniyah; KRG
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Extreme
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Confirmed
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Related Reports
Iraq
-
Civil UnrestIraq Alert: Civil unrest ongoing in Erbil’s Khabat, prompting closures on Mosul-Erbil Road during afternoon hours on December 1; avoid nonessential travel
-
Civil UnrestIraq Alert: Armed clashes between KRG security forces, Herki tribe members occur on November 29 outside Erbil Province’s Lanaz Refinery; risk of violence in area to persist in coming days
-
Armed ConflictIsrael & Palestinian Territories Alert: Hamas reportedly violates ceasefire with attack in southern Gaza, triggering Israeli airstrikes on October 19; continue avoiding all travel to Gaza, monitor developments
-
MaritimeMENA Alert: UKMTO reports attack against vessel east of Aden during afternoon hours on October 18; avoid all travel to area