The recent spate of attacks on oil and gas plants in Iraq's Kurdistan Region is harmful to the country’s stability and economy, President Barham Salih said on Saturday.
His statement came hours after a rocket landed near the Khor Mor gasfield in Sulaymaniyah province, one of three that make up the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
The government said the attack, the third since Wednesday, caused no casualties or interruption to operations at the field being developed by UAE energy company Dana Gas.
On Wednesday, two contractors were lightly wounded, Dana Gas said in a disclosure to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The second attack took place on Friday.
No group has claimed responsibility for the firing of the missiles but they came amid an increase in rocket and drone attacks on oil and gas plants, as well as civilian and military sites, in the semi-autonomous region.
“The assaults that targeted oil and gasfields in Khor Mor and other areas are targeting the country’s stability and hitting the national economy,” said Mr Salih, who is from Sulaymaniyah.
“We have no other option, only to stand firm against these heinous criminal attempts."
Another senior Kurdish politician, former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari, blamed the attacks on “militia forces in Baghdad” — a reference to armed groups aligned with Iran.
“Their aim is to target the security and economy of Kurdistan Region and to make it kneel to their power,” Mr Zebari said.
In Washington, the US government condemned the attacks and called for an investigation. "These attacks are designed to undermine economic stability just as they seek to challenge Iraqi sovereignty, sow division, and intimidate," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
"They must be investigated and those responsible must be prosecuted," he added, reiterating US solidarity with the Iraqi people and commitment to its security and prosperity.
Tension has been running high in the country since national elections in October as Iraqi political factions squabble over forming the new government.
Moqtada Al Sadr, the Shiite cleric and political leader whose followers won the highest number of seats among Iraqi political groups, sought to form a majority government by teaming up with the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Sunni Sovereignty Alliance.
His rivals, comprising Iranian-backed parties and militias who suffered significant losses, are calling for a consensus government in a bid to protect their influence.
Several prominent groups with the backing of Tehran have accused the Kurds and Sunnis who joined Mr Al Sadr's alliance of increasing divisions among Shiites.
In March, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired 12 ballistic missiles at the Kurdish region, hitting the home of businessman Baz Karim, whose KAR Group operates the largest oil refinery in Iraqi Kurdistan among other businesses.
Tehran claimed the house was a "strategic centre" for Israel and that the attack was retaliation for an air strike in Syria allegedly carried out by Israel that killed two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members. Iran did not provide evidence and the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad strongly denied the allegations.
The Khor Mor gasfield has vast reserves and the potential to meet not only local needs but also for export to international markets.
It is vital to the Kurdish region's plans to export natural gas to Europe through Turkey.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
'Nightmare Alley'
Director:Guillermo del Toro
Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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