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)

Sep 1, 2015

After Peshmerga victory, homes looted and destroyed

After KRG forces win territory from IS militants south of Kirkuk, officers report widespread theft and destruction of homes belonging to displaced Sunni Arabs.

Aug 26, 2015

UPDATE: Pipeline outages threaten Kurdistan oil autonomy

The KRG's economic lifeline is down again - and has been for one-third of August - as the government risks sliding into a spiral of debt.

Aug 24, 2015

Promising jobs, Basra appeases protesters at key commercial sites

At both Iraq's largest oil field and its only deep water port, demonstrators had been blocking access roads but disbanded after receiving guarantees of employment.

Aug 20, 2015

IOCs feel heat of Basra protests

Amidst the fervor of a national protest movement, unemployed locals are blocking access to work sites and oil workers are calling for increased scrutiny on IOCs.

Aug 9, 2015

Q&A: PKK spokesperson Zagros Hiwa

The PKK does not intend to make further attacks on the pipeline carrying oil from Iraq to Turkey's Ceyhan port, though other Turkish infrastructure remains in the crosshairs.

Aug 4, 2015

Senior pipeline official killed in Kirkuk

Two senior northern oil officials have now been assassinated since late June.

Jul 29, 2015

UPDATE: Pipeline sabotage halts Turkey exports

As tensions rise in southeastern Turkey, a bomb hits the KRG's economic lifeline.

Jul 22, 2015

Mosul insurgents challenge Islamic State occupiers

A group calling itself Kataib al-Mosul is waging a campaign of assassinations against IS fighters throughout Mosul and feeding intelligence to Iraqi and U.S. forces.

Jun 3, 2015

Q&A: Anbari tribal leaders

The fall of Ramadi was long in the making, and is only the latest symptom of long-standing dysfunction in the Iraqi government's strategy for Anbar province.

May 26, 2015

Baiji refinery devastated by IS scorched earth tactics

IS militants destroy critical control rooms and production units as pro-government forces battle to retake the remnants of Iraq's largest oil refinery.