Kurdistan Region: Resumption of oil production contingent on security guarantees for companies

Erbil, Aug 11 (KUNA) -- Rebar Ahmad, Minister of Interior in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, confirmed on Tuesday that the resumption of oil production is contingent upon the provision of air defense systems and security guarantees for foreign companies operating in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Ahmad stated in a press statement that the halt in oil production is due to security threats emanating from within Iraqi territory toward the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing that global companies will not resume operations without "security guarantees."

The minister called upon Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to put an end to these threats, revealing ongoing negotiations with the Iraqi Army General Staff and international companies to procure air defense systems and counter-drone measures.

He clarified that the federal government, acknowledging its current inability to protect those oil fields alone, has pledged to allow companies to bring in their own defense systems within a joint operational framework and high-level coordination between the regional institutions and Baghdad to protect the national wealth.

Regarding compensation for those affected by the rocket and drone attacks on the region, the Interior Minister disclosed that a detailed report on the extent of the damage is being prepared and will be submitted to the federal government. He also criticized Baghdad's stance for failing to take practical steps toward compensation.

Foreign oil and energy companies operating in the Kurdistan Region, including the UK's Gulf Keystone, the US's HKN, and the UAE's Dana Gas, had suspended production operations in several key fields in the region, such as Soran, Atrosh, and Khurmoo, due to escalating security threats resulting from regional tensions and repeated drone and missile attacks on energy facilities and oil fields.

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