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.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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