Khor Mor gas field in Iraq's Kurdistan hit by drone attack, probe ordered
Synopsis
Three drones struck Iraq's Khor Mor gas field late Sunday night, halting production and sparking a fire — with no reported casualties so far. Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi has ordered a joint investigation. The attack follows a separate drone strike on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline that Baghdad was asked to investigate, raising urgent questions about armed groups operating from Iraqi territory.
Key Takeaways
The Khor Mor gas field in Iraq's Kurdistan region was hit by three drones at 23:10 local time on Sunday , halting production and sparking a fire.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered a joint investigation in coordination with Kurdistan Regional Government authorities.
No casualties — deaths or injuries — have been reported as of the initial statement.
Khor Mor is a critical supplier of natural gas for electricity generation across the Kurdistan region.
The attack follows a separate drone strike on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline that was reportedly launched from Iraqi territory, which Riyadh refrained from retaliating against at Baghdad's request.
The Khor Mor gas field in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region was struck by a drone attack late Sunday night, halting production and triggering a fire, according to Iraqi authorities. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who also serves as commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, has ordered a joint investigation into the strike.
How the Attack Unfolded
The strike occurred at 23:10 local time (20:10 GMT) on Sunday, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command. A source within the Kurdistan Regional Government, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that three drones struck the facility, directly hitting infrastructure and sparking a fire that disrupted operations.
As of the time of reporting, there were no confirmed casualties — no deaths or injuries had been reported. An investigation committee is to be formed in coordination with competent authorities in the Kurdistan region to determine the full circumstances of the attack.
Strategic Importance of Khor Mor
The Khor Mor gas field is a critical energy asset, supplying natural gas that powers electricity generation across the Kurdistan region and parts of Iraq. Any sustained disruption to its output carries direct consequences for power supply in a region already facing chronic energy challenges. This is not the first time energy infrastructure in or near Iraq has come under attack — the broader regional pattern of strikes on fuel and pipeline assets has intensified in recent months.
Regional Context: The Saudi Pipeline Incident
The Khor Mor attack comes weeks after a separate but related incident in which the Saudi Foreign Ministry said a drone attack on its East-West Pipeline — which carries crude oil from Saudi Arabia's eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz — had been launched from Iraqi territory, causing injuries and damage.
In that case, Saudi Arabia said it refrained from retaliating at the specific request of the Iraqi prime minister, to allow Baghdad time to take necessary measures against groups launching attacks from its soil. The kingdom, however, explicitly reserved its right to 'take all appropriate action to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, and citizens,' according to the ministry's statement.
Iraq, in turn, condemned any attack threatening Saudi security, welcomed Riyadh's restraint, and said it had ordered its own investigation into those responsible, according to a statement from Iraqi armed forces.
What Happens Next
Investigators from Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government are expected to jointly examine the site and determine the origin and nature of the drones used. The findings could have significant diplomatic consequences, particularly given the ongoing sensitivity around attacks originating from — or transiting — Iraqi territory. The international community will be watching closely, as repeated infrastructure strikes in the region risk escalating into a wider security crisis.
Point of View
And Baghdad's ability to police armed groups operating within its borders remains in question. The fact that Saudi Arabia had to publicly request Iraqi restraint after a pipeline attack launched from Iraqi soil — and then a separate drone strike hits Iraqi energy assets weeks later — exposes a serious sovereignty gap. For the Kurdistan Regional Government, this is also an economic threat: Khor Mor is not peripheral infrastructure, it is a backbone of the region's power supply. How swiftly and credibly the joint investigation delivers findings will determine whether this remains a bilateral matter or escalates into a wider regional flashpoint.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Khor Mor gas field?
The Khor Mor gas field in Iraq's Kurdistan region was struck by three drones late Sunday night at 23:10 local time, halting production and triggering a fire. No casualties have been reported so far.
Who ordered the investigation into the drone attack?
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who also serves as commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, ordered a joint investigation. An investigation committee is to be formed in coordination with Kurdistan Regional Government authorities to determine the full circumstances.
Why is the Khor Mor gas field strategically important?
Khor Mor is a critical energy facility that supplies natural gas for electricity generation across the Kurdistan region of Iraq. A sustained disruption to its output directly affects power supply in an area already facing energy challenges.
How does this relate to the attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline?
In September, Saudi Arabia said a drone attack on its East-West Pipeline — which carries crude oil to the Red Sea port of Yanbu — was launched from Iraqi territory. Riyadh refrained from retaliating at Iraqi PM al-Zaidi's request, giving Baghdad time to investigate and prevent further attacks originating from its soil.
Has Iraq responded to concerns about attacks launched from its territory?
Iraq condemned the attack on the Saudi pipeline, welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to hold off on retaliation, and said it had ordered an investigation. Baghdad now faces fresh pressure after the Khor Mor strike to demonstrate it can credibly address security threats linked to its territory.
