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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)
Apr 1, 2008

Iraqi-born Ayatollah bans attacks on Iraq oil sector…

Plus: *Shell CEO confirms ready to help Iraq oil *Who controls Iraq’s oil? *Battles of Basra and oil *Violence deaths up in Iraq *Iraqis resent Green Zone Lebanon's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah has issued a religious edict banning attacks on Iraq's oil industry and other public infrastructure, Naharnet reports. Fadlallah also […]

Mar 31, 2008

Basra break in violence allows oil workers to leave, head to work…

Plus: *The State of Basra *Crescent Petroleum sponsors Iraqi universities in oil confab *Oil deals unlikely for months *Iraq war drains U.S. budget for fuel *Iraqi parties prevent ban on honor killing *Japan-Iraq collaboration A lull in fighting in the oil-rich province of Basra allowed oil field workers to return to work, ensuring output of […]

Mar 28, 2008

Pipeline blast in southern Iraq fixed, oil flow rerouted …

*But danger looms as workers can’t get to work *Those at stations since Tuesday running out of supplies, food and sleep *Basra violence threatens oil investment *Recap of violence from Basra to Baghdad *Port workers say military aims is to privatize *Humanitarian aid desperately needed but unable to reach Basra *KRG posts electricity tenders Iraq […]

Mar 27, 2008

Basra fight takes toll on Iraq oil production and exports…

Pipelines hit Workers can’t leave/get to work A peek at the Basra oil infrastructure Iraqi military "stalled," Maliki vows fight "to the end" Security of late threatened Bush: Nationalized oil harming Iraq, "legacy" of Saddam Bush: Losing the Iraq war "endanger" oil in Iraq U.S. gives $2.5M to train engineers The Iraq Press Roundup Oil […]

Mar 26, 2008

Fighting in Iraq’s oil capital Basra isn’t the first bloodshed between varying political and armed groups but may be the decisive battle for control over the oil sector, local government and the fate of the province.

The violence that has killed dozens and injured hundreds since Tuesday is billed as Iraq's military against "criminals, terrorist forces and outlaws," in the words of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who this week launched an Iraqi Security Forces offensive into Basra, Ben Lando reports for United Press International. But political parties and their militias […]

Mar 21, 2008

Basra the battleground for Iraq army effort…

Iraq's Army will target militias in Iraq's oil capital Basra in a last ditch effort to route the growing violence before provincial elections which may take place this fall, Kim Sengupta reports for The Independent. This poses a huge dilemma for citizens and the country. Who exactly of the dozens of militias will the Army […]

Feb 11, 2008

Iraq’s Constitution needs fixing before the oil law can be moved, top MP says…

Plus: *Russia and Iraq -- quid pro quo on oil for debt *Attacks on Iraq's energy sector shut down power grid, bomb found on Electricity Ministry's doorstep *State Dept. critiqued by its own for lax dealings with Iraq government *Iraqi Kurds in U.S. push for investment beyond oil *Oil for refugees *Much more... Political disputes […]