Kurdish Minister Denounces 'Nonsense' Claims Amid Khor Mor Gasfield Attack Investigation

A Kurdish minister has strongly refuted suggestions that a Kurdish group might be responsible for the recent attack on the Khor Mor gasfield, urging against premature speculation while an official investigation is underway. Ahmed Mufti, the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, expressed confidence in the investigation initiated by Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi following Sunday's incident. "We are open to giving all the related data to the related party for the investigation," Mufti stated at an event hosted by the foreign affairs think tank Chatham House.

Earlier on Wednesday, Basim Al Badri, head of Iraq’s National Security Department, indicated that the Iraqi government had not dismissed the possibility of an internal attack by rival Kurdish factions on the facility. However, Mr. Mufti described these claims as "nonsense" in comments to The National. "I’m surprised that within 24 hours [of the investigation’s launch] a bold statement like this can be made. I believe this is emotional. Let’s wait for a conclusion," he told a Chatham House panel. "My advice to all and everyone is to refrain from making any statements right now until the final investigation is out," he added.

The attack resulted in an estimated 10 million people in Iraq losing access to electricity and cooking fuel, according to Crescent Petroleum, which operates at the gasfield. The price of electricity reportedly more than doubled in the aftermath.

Mr. Al Badri’s remarks come at a time when the Iraqi government is facing challenges in disarming Iran-backed Shiite militias, which have targeted energy facilities in the Gulf in response to US actions concerning Iran.

Sources within the Iraqi Kurdistan oil and gas sector informed The National that Khor Mor operators would be able to determine the origin of the drone. One insider characterized Mr. Al Badri’s comments as "really insulting, it’s like saying the sky is green".

Majid Jafar, Chief Executive of Crescent Petroleum, noted that while this was the 12th attack on the facility, it was among the most severe. "This last one really was a shock, especially at a time when the wider war seems to be de-escalating. We saw significant damage to the production facilities. We’re still assessing the scale. There will be lots of repairs," Mr. Jafar said. He commended the Iraqi government's swift response, stating, "The attack was an attack on the people of Iraq and on Iraq’s sovereignty. We welcome Prime Minister Al Zaidi taking quick action, sending an investigation committee."

Mr. Jafar recalled a meeting with oil and gas companies in June where Mr. Al Zaidi pledged protection and compensation. An official letter from the Iraqi government subsequently reiterated these assurances. "This time we hope to see, unlike previous attacks, concrete steps for protection and for identifying and holding accountable the perpetrators," Mr. Jafar concluded.