On the night of November 26 pro-Iran groups launched two drones against the Khor Mor gas facility in Sulaymaniya. One hit a storage tank setting off a fire that temporarily shut down the plant. In the aftermath the Sudani government set up an investigative committee and promised to name names of those responsible. That did not happen.
On December 4 the results of the investigation were released. It found that two drones were launched from the Tuz Kharmato district in east Salahaddin province. Rather than saying who was responsible it claimed the operation was done by “known criminals.” This was to be expected. Pro-Iran Hashd groups have carried out attacks upon Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops, oil companies and the Kurds for years with no consequences. That’s because they are part of the security forces and government and protected by Iran. Baghdad always promises action and then does nothing. This is just the latest case.
The report obviously angered the Kurds. The Kurdistan Regional Government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party complained that the findings offered nothing specific on the perpetrators which they said were well known.
The incident also complicates relations with the United States. Washington is putting increasing pressure upon Baghdad to disarm the pro-Iran groups and exclude them from leading positions in the new government that is being formed. The fact that these groups launched an attack right after the elections and the government is doing nothing about it reinforces America’s view that Iraqi institutions are compromised and more pressure needs to be brought to bring the Hashd factions under control.
SOURCES
Al Alam, “Khor Mor investigation: Incomplete Results Worsen Baghdad’s Embarrassment,” 12/4/25
- “Savaya’s Demands Escalate Separation of Powers Added to the List Alongside Controlling Uncontrolled Weapons,” 11/29/25
Al Mada, “With the race to form a government underway, a growing American role is ending the “golden age” of the factions,” 11/27/25
Salem, Amr, “Iraq to equip Khor Mor gas field with air defense systems,” Iraqi News, 12/4/25
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