Khor Mor is Iraq’s biggest gas facility, and it is the most significant part of the energy infrastructure in Iraq’s Kurdish region. The attack, which has been described as an explosives-laden drone targeting a gas storage facility, resulted in a fire.
– Engineers at the site described running to shelters for fear of further attacks. The strike has also caused widespread power outages and the loss of about 70 to 80 percent of energy capacity in the Kurdish region.
– Khor Mor has been attacked before, most recently in November last year, when a similar drone assault also caused widespread power outages.
– At the time, the Kurdish authorities blamed pro-Iranian armed factions operating inside of Iraq. No group claimed responsibility, but at the time, Iraq’s government said outlaw elements were responsible and issued arrest warrants. As yet, no one has been held to account.
– Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi later promised to strengthen the security infrastructure around Khor Mor.
– The facility is operated by Emirati energy company Dana Gas. So the attack has not only caused widespread power outages in the Kurdish region; it has also embarrassed Prime Minister al-Zaidi, undermined his promises, and struck at Emirati business interests in Iraq.
https://aje.news/84oq18?update=5135004