Latest news with #Sabahal-Numan
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Drone attackers hunted: Joint operations underway in the desert
Shafaq News – Baghdad The Joint Operations Command announced on Friday the start of a wide search operation covering several areas in the al-Hadr desert within the sectors of western Nineveh and Saladin provinces. According to a statement, the operation aims to verify and follow up on important intelligence related to thwarting plans and attempts to target security forces and vital sites in the country. The Command stated that the recent attacks on oil installations and fields, as well as attempted strikes on military bases and camps, constitute a serious and reprehensible act that threatens Iraq's stability. These actions, it warned, undermine national efforts aimed at reconstruction, development, and long-term security. It emphasized that 'security forces will actively pursue all individuals involved in destabilizing the country or targeting its vital resources and interests,' adding that this includes not only the perpetrators but also anyone who collaborates with them. Earlier, Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, announced that a high-level Iraqi investigation has identified the source and perpetrators of a series of suicide drone attacks that targeted key military radar sites across the country, confirming that the drones were launched from within Iraq using foreign-made equipment.
Iraqi News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq confirms June drone attacks used foreign-made weapons
Baghdad – Iraq said Friday that drones which hit several military radar systems last month were launched from within the country but manufactured abroad, without identifying the perpetrators. On June 24, the Iraqi government said that several small suicide drones targeted multiple Iraqi military sites and bases, including the radar systems at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, and Imam Ali Base in Dhi Qar Province in southern Iraq. Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesman for the prime minister, said that Iraq identified 'the origin of the drones used in the attacks,' adding that they were 'equipped with warheads of varying weights and were manufactured outside Iraq.' The drones were also launched from several locations inside Iraq. They were all of the same type, which indicates 'a single executing party'. Numan said the government also identified 'the entities involved in planning and carrying out' these attacks. Numan did not specify where the drones were made or identify those responsible, but he said that 'all those involved… will be referred to the Iraqi judiciary.' Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. A source close to the Iran-backed Iraqi factions, who had in previous years hit bases hosting US troops, told AFP the groups have nothing to do with the drone attacks. The June attacks came hours before a ceasefire took hold between Israel and Iran, and after Iran launched missiles at a US military facility in Qatar in retaliation for US bombing of its nuclear facilities. In the past few weeks, Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdistan region has seen a spate of unclaimed drone attacks, mostly against oil fields. Baghdad has promised an investigation to identify the culprits. The attacks in Kurdistan come at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil over oil exports from Kurdistan, which have been blocked since 2023. The last attack occurred on Thursday morning on an oil field, hours before Baghdad announced a deal with Arbil to resume oil exports.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq uncovers source of drone attacks, vows legal action
Shafaq News – Baghdad A high-level Iraqi investigation has identified the source and perpetrators of a series of suicide drone attacks that targeted key military radar sites across the country, confirming that the drones were launched from within Iraq using foreign-made equipment. According to a statement issued Friday by Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the findings came after a directive from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to form a committee of senior officers and technical experts to examine the recent attacks on multiple air defense systems. The investigation revealed that "the origin of the drones used in the attacks was identified," and that they had been 'equipped with warheads of varying weights and manufactured outside Iraq.' However, their launch points were located within Iraqi territory, the statement said. 'All the suicide drones used in the attacks were of the same type, clearly indicating a single executing party,' the spokesman added. Security and intelligence services also analyzed the drones' control and communication systems, allowing them to gather detailed technical data and confirm the operational methods behind the assaults. The statement noted that 'the entities involved in planning and carrying out these hostile operations were identified,' though no specific group or actor was named. 'These cowardly acts of aggression represent a blatant violation of national sovereignty,' the statement read. 'No party, whether domestic or foreign, will be permitted to undermine Iraq's security and stability.' The spokesman stressed that legal measures will be taken against all those involved, and that the case will be referred to the Iraqi judiciary. 'The security and military leadership affirms that it will not tolerate any threat to the safety and security of the Iraqi Armed Forces or the assets of the Iraqi state,' he said. The wave of drone attacks began in June and included strikes on radar stations located at several military bases and airports, including facilities used to monitor Iraqi airspace. Some attacks also targeted oil infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Drone strike hits Kurdistan oil field, US firm halts operations
The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. read more A drone strike on Tuesday forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraq's Kurdistan, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the autonomous region's energy facilities. The Iraqi government said it will investigate the attacks, which occurred months before legislative elections, at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil mainly over oil exports. The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It did not say who may be behind the attack, and there was no claim of responsibility. Tuesday's attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and on an oil field in Arbil province, near Duhok. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said a blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. 'Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured,' it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq and particularly the Kurdistan region have seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in a volatile Iraq, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and European countries. 'Vital institutions' On Tuesday, Kurdistan's presidency condemned the latest attacks, warning that they 'pose a risk' to international investments and calling on Baghdad to find the perpetrators and prevent further incidents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an 'immediate and comprehensive investigation' into the attacks, his military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said. 'The nature and timing of these criminal acts indicate malicious intent aimed at creating confusion and harming Iraq and its vital institutions,' Numan added. Iraq is gearing up for legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. The attacks also come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraq's federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government. A few hours after Tuesday's drone attack, Iraq's oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Unacceptable' The US embassy in Baghdad denounced the recent drone strikes, including on 'critical infrastructure' in Kurdistan. 'These attacks are unacceptable,' the embassy said on X, adding that the Iraqi government 'must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites… where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future'. The Sarsang attack came a day after other explosive-laden drone attacks were reported elsewhere in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. Politicians close to the Kurdish authorities blamed pro-Iran groups, without offering evidence. On July 3, the Kurdistan government said that the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces, had downed a drone near Arbil airport. Baghdad rejected the accusation against 'an official Iraqi security institution'.
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's three presidencies condemn ‘drone attacks' on Kurdistan oil fields
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi presidency, premiership and parliament on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent 'drone attacks' on oil fields in the Kurdistan Region, calling them a flagrant assault on national security and stability. In a statement, the Iraqi Presidency vehemently denounced the 'terrorist attacks' on the Sarsang oil field in northern Duhok early Tuesday and the Khurmala oil field southwest of Erbil late Monday. It warned that such attacks threaten the country's 'economy and the security and safety of its citizens,' describing them as 'equivalent to targeting the state's public interests.' The presidency urged "the relevant security authorities' in Baghdad and Erbil 'to take appropriate and urgent measures to identify the perpetrators and prevent the recurrence of such terrorist attacks." Echoing the presidency's stance, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, said on Tuesday that the assaults were carried out using drones, branding them 'criminal acts' and a 'direct threat to national interests.' He added that the Iraqi premier had 'ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation' into the incidents, which reflect a "malicious intent aimed at creating confusion." Baghdad pledged decisive action against the perpetrators and stressed the need to protect vital infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iraqi Parliament's Second Deputy Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah condemned the 'deliberate operations' targeting oil and critical infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region. He confirmed that 'these attacks caused material and economic damages' and called on the federal government to "maintain security and identify the parties responsible." He further tasked the parliament's Security and Defense Committee with investigating the "repeated targeting incidents and breaches that are threatening the security of the [Kurdistan] Region.' Earlier on Tuesday, an explosion hit the Sarsang oil field in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province, operated by the US-based HKN Energy, which holds a 62 percent stake in the field. In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, HKN Energy confirmed that 'an explosion occurred' around 7:00 am local time. 'All personnel have been safely accounted for, and no injuries have been reported,' the company said, adding that 'operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured and a full evaluation is completed.' Just a day earlier, two explosive-laden drones targeted the Khurmala oil field, southwest of Erbil, late Monday night. According to a security source speaking to Rudaw, the drones were intercepted by US-led coalition forces. No casualties were reported in that incident either. The Kurdistan Region Presidency on Tuesday strongly condemned 'the drone strikes on infrastructure and various locations within the Kurdistan Region,' urging the federal government in Baghdad to take urgent measures to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) natural resources ministry also denounced the incidents as 'terrorist attacks' against the Region's economic infrastructure. Drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region have increased since the outbreak of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that began on June 13 and ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. While no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry has accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge dismissed by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.'
