Security

Kurdistan refinery protests spark deadly violence

At least one person is dead and several injured after security forces cracked down on unemployed truck drivers demanding work at the Lanaz refinery near Erbil.

A truck prepares to load at the Lanaz oil refinery on the Gwer road west or Erbil, March 31, 2015 (PATRICK OSGOOD/Iraq Oil Report)

Dec 15, 2022

Turkish strikes threaten Syrian crude exports to Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkey’s latest military campaign is targeting energy infrastructure in northeast Syria, depriving the Kurdish-led autonomous region of fuel and power — and potentially export revenue.

Dec 5, 2022

Iran’s cross-border attacks continue as dissident groups remain defiant

Joint Erbil-Baghdad talks to improve border policing have so far failed to answer Tehran’s concerns about dissident groups in Iraqi Kurdistan allegedly supporting Iran’s protest movement.

Nov 18, 2022

Widening divide between Kurdistan’s ruling parties raises new risks

Leaders are openly discussing the dissolution of a strategic agreement for united governance that has underpinned Kurdistan's stability and oil sector independence.

Nov 13, 2022

Smuggling bust unravels into scandal of murder and political intrigue

An oil smuggling ring was stealing thousands of barrels per day from a pipeline in Basra. The true contours of the conspiracy remain a mystery.

Oct 20, 2022

Widening Turkey-PKK conflict presents new risks for Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkey has long targeted Kurdish separatist bases in the remote Qandil mountains, but recent cross-border strikes are also hitting near population centers.

Sep 29, 2022

Iran strikes opposition targets deep in Iraqi Kurdistan

As protesters in Iran denounce the government, Iran's military escalates its cross-border campaign against Kurdish parties accused of supporting the unrest.

Aug 30, 2022

UPDATE: Civil unrest raises risks for oil sector

As political crisis and escalating violence threaten the stability of the state, followers of Sadr have also started protests at some oil fields.

Aug 16, 2022

Armed protesters demand oil jobs, sparking deadly gunfire

A 19-year-old was killed at a demonstration near Kurdistan's Akri Bijeel oil field.

Aug 9, 2022

Dust storms highlight Iraqi leadership failures as climate crisis worsens

Iraq's most vulnerable citizens are the hardest hit by dust storms, which are growing in frequency and intensity due to both global climate change and government inaction.

Aug 9, 2022

Public anger combusts at violent oil field protests

Sunday's clashes at the Halfaya field left 18 security officers injured — highlighting the volatile consequences of government paralysis amidst failing services and high unemployment.