Security

As Iraq tries to rein in paramilitary groups, oil sector threats remain

Several armed groups say they will put their weapons under state control, but the most aggressive Iran-backed fighters remain outside the process.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (center front) attends a ceremony on June 14, 2026, to mark the 12th anniversary of the creation of the Popular Mobilization Forces. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Oct 10, 2015

Revived security forces advance on Ramadi

Pro-government forces have launched a multi-pronged attack, tightening the military blockade around the city and setting the stage for a deeper assault.

Oct 8, 2015

North oil facilities face ongoing IS attacks

In the week after a Peshmerga offensive designed to insulate key oil infrastructure from IS threats, North Gas Company and the Khabbaz oil field have come under attack.

Oct 1, 2015

Peshmerga push back against IS threat to oil fields

A successful offensive Wednesday to the west of Kirkuk increases the buffer zone separating key oil infrastructure from IS militants.

Sep 21, 2015

Unrest in Turkey disrupts vital KRG border

The Ibrahim Khalil border crossing, the Kurdistan region’s busiest, has been periodically closed by Turkey as it targets PKK fighters and supporters.

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.