Security

Basra tanker attack marks deepening crisis for Iraq oil sector

Iraq is facing a widening array of security threats and economic consequences from the Iran war.

Iraqi ports director Farhan al-Fartousi (right) conducts an inspection on March 12, 2026, of the site of an Iranian attack on oil tankers the previous night. (Photo credit: General Company for Ports of Iraq)

Oct 17, 2016

UPDATE: Operation to liberate Mosul begins

A multi-pronged offensive by various Iraqi security forces marks the start of Iraq’s climactic battle against the Islamic State group.

Oct 16, 2016

Mosul offensive imminent

Iraqi forces are in final position to begin their assault on IS militants in Mosul, awaiting only an official order from Prime Minister Abadi, which many officers expect early Sunday.

Oct 11, 2016

New IS offensive lights more Qayarah wells on fire

Security forces repel attack, but new wellhead fires are emitting noxious smoke and choking civilians who had just begun to resettle.

Oct 6, 2016

Ahead of Mosul fight, Iraqi forces mass on Hawija

Upcoming offensive could push IS out of Kirkuk province, further squeezing Mosul and reducing threats to northern oil infrastructure.

Oct 3, 2016

Oil official killed in Kirkuk

Assassination marks first killing of senior North Oil Company official since spate of murders last year.

Aug 30, 2016

Kurdish forces investigate nascent IS cells

After two battles with IS fighters near Chemchemal, security forces are racing to root out militants setting up insurgent cells within KRG-controlled territory.

Aug 24, 2016

Bai Hassan field recovering slowly from IS attacks

The Bai Hassan south station is back online, but key infrastructure remains damaged and a well fire is still blazing after two IS attacks in July and early August.

Aug 23, 2016

Iraqi forces liberate key oil town near Mosul

IS militants leave behind dozens of dead civilians, a trashed refinery complex, and a town choked by oil fires.

Aug 17, 2016

Kurdish forces make hard progress toward Mosul

Over two days of grinding battles, thousands of soldiers liberate a swath of Hamdaniya, highlighting the difficulty of making even incremental gains on the road to Mosul.

Aug 10, 2016

Bomb attack hits Bai Hassan oil field

Far behind Kurdistan's front lines, a suspected IS sleeper cell bombed a wellhead and set IEDs along a pipeline, exploiting security gaps around Kirkuk energy infrastructure.