2025 Iranian-backed militia attacks in Iraq

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2025 Iranian militia attacks in Iraq
Part of Iran-Israel proxy war and Aftermath of the Israel - Iran War
Date02 Feb 2025 - present
Location
Iraq
Status

Ongoing

  • Several oilfields across Kurdistan hit by drones
  • Several military bases and airports hit by drones
Belligerents
Iraq Iraq
Kurdistan Region Kurdistan
United States United States		 Iran Iran
Popular Mobilization Forces (alleged)
Casualties and losses
1 civilan killed
2 civilans wounded		 None

The 2025 Iraq drone attacks are a series of ongoing drone attacks, throughout Iraq, likely carried out by the Iranian aligned Iraqi militias.[1] The targets of the drone attacks include mostly the Iraqi and foreign military facilities and oil refineries.

Background

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The attacks on the oilfields marked significant escalation in regional tensions and imposed substantial threat to Iraqi energy infrastructure.The assaults hit multiple facilities including those operated by international companies and lead to the suspension of production and considerable production losses.No definite group took responsibility of the attacks however the Kurdistan regional Government accuses the Iranian backed militias in Iraq for the repeated assaults.[2][3][4]

Events

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2 February

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On 2 February 2025 , a kamikaze drone hit the Khor Mor gasfield in the Kurdistan region amid negotiations between the Kurdistan Government and the Iraqi government on energy issues.The attack also coincided with the rising call in the parliament for the disarment of Iranian backed militias in Iraq.[5]

23 June

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On 23 June, Iraqi state media reported drone attacks at Iraq's Taji military base, quoting a military official but claimed no casualties.[6] Iran's Tasnim news agency reported drone hits at the US Victory Base Complex, near the Baghdad International Airport.[7] The Balad military base in Iraq also reportedly came under attack.[8] Iran's Tasnim news agency claimed that two explosions were heard inside the base.[8] Al Sumaria TV network reported an attack on the radar systems at Imam Ali base in Iraq.[9] According to a spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister, the drones caused "significant damage" to the radar systems of the Taji and Imam Ali bases. The Iraqi government condemned the attacks as a "cowardly and treacherous" assault.[10] On 24 June 2025, Associated Press reported that the United States intercepted drones that targeted Ain al Asad Airbase and another base near Baghdad Airport on the night of 23 and 24 June with one drone crashing near the site, there were no casualties.[11] A third drone crashed in al Radwaniyah, about seven kilometers from Baghdad airport.[12] Iraqi government stated that the drone attacks targeting Camp Taji and Imam Ali Air Base, “severely damaged” Iraqi radars.[12]

24 June

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The United States forces shot down 5 drones launched to attack the military bases as well as the Baghdad airport and western iraq. No casualities were reported.[13][14]

1 July

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Three projectiles struck the Kirkuk airport damaging a gate which was adjacent to the military zone. Two drones fell in the military zone and one in the civilan zone of the airport with two civilans being wounded.[15][16]

3 July

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A drone attack targeted the Erbil International Airport hosting American forces, Kurdistan Regional Government’s Counter-Terrorism Group reported it's interception.[17] The attack was alleged by Kurdish authorities to have been carried out by Popular Mobilization Forces.[18]

14 July

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Iranian-backed Iraqi militants launched a drone attack targeting the Erbil International Airport, but the drone was intercepted.[19] Two unidentified drones hit the Khurmala oilfield in Erbil Governorate, resulting in damages to a water pipeline.[20][21]

15 July

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On 15 July 2025, a drone hit the Sarsang oilfield hours before it's operator, the American private company HKM energy, was scheduled to sign a deal to develop another oilfield. HKM stated that the attack halted the production of 30,000 barrels of oil[22] after an explosion at the site.[23]

16 July

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On 16 July 2025, the Peshkabir and Tawke oilfields in Kurdistan Region, operated by the Norwegian DNO were attacked by three drones, halting oil production. Ain Sifni oilfield operated by U.S firm Hunt Oil in Duhok was also hit by two drones, the same day. The Iraqi state-owned Bai Hassan oil field in Kirkuk Province was also targeted.[24] A Kurdish official blamed the Popular Mobilization Forces for the attack.[25][26]

17 July

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On 17 July, Tawke oilfield was hit by another barrage of drones sent to Duhok and Erbil.[27]

20 July

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Iran carried out a drone strike in Shiwa Gwezan targeting a Toyota Hilux carrying a member of the East Kurdistan Defense Unit killing him and wounding another.[28]

28 July

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Four Kamikaze drones struck different areas of Iraq, two crashing in Erbil Province with one near the village of Korgosk and the other struck a cafe in Rizgari, one crashed in Bardarash District of Duhok Province and one fell near the village of Hihawa in Kirkuk Province.[29]

30 July

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An bomb laden drone fell near the Makhmur, Iraq however it did not explode near Dugirdkan village, according to Kurdish counterterrorism agencies. Kurdish authorities blamed Iranian backed militias for the attack.[30]

Reactions

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Regional

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  • Kurdistan Region Iraqi Kurdistan government : The Ministry of Natural Resources strongly condemned the "terrorist attacks to undermine civilan safety in the energy sector " and urged the federal government to take necessary measures.[31]
  • Iraq Federal government of Iraq : The Iraqi president Abdul Latif Rashid condemned the attacks on the oilfields calling it an attempt to threaten peace and stability in the region.[32]

International

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  • United States United States : The United States strongly condemned the attacks stating that Iraqi government has a duty to protect it's territory and it's people.[33]
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom : The British embassy in Baghdad strongly condemned the strikes and stated that the strikes threaten civilan safety and national stability and economy.[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Iran Update, July 15, 2025
  2. ^ "Iraq: Damage to Kurdistan Region Oil Fields Puts Rights at Risk | Human Rights Watch". 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  3. ^ "Drone Attacks Force Shutdown Of Key Kurdistan Oil Fields". MEES. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  4. ^ Frantzman, Seth (2025-07-12). "Kurdish government blames Iranian-backed PMF for drone attacks targeting Iraqi Kurdistan". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  5. ^ Frantzman, Seth (2025-02-04). "Drone attack targets gas field in northern Iraq". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  6. ^ "Drone attacks Iraq's Taji military base: Report". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Reports of drone attack near Baghdad airport". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Attack reported on Iraq's Balad military base". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Iraq's Imam Ali base under attack: Report". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to hold as Trump vents frustration with both sides". Associated Press News. 24 June 2025.
  12. ^ a b Iran Update Special Report, June 24, 2025, Evening Edition
  13. ^ "WSJ: US forces downed 5 offensive drones over Iraq". www.saba.ye. 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  14. ^ "U.S. Forces in Iraq Intercept Five Attack Drones". WSJ. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  15. ^ "1 wounded in attack on Iraq's Kirkuk airport". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  16. ^ "Rockets fired at Iraq airport, two wounded: security official". Arab News. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  17. ^ Iran Update, July 4, 2025
  18. ^ Iran Update, July 5, 2025
  19. ^ Iran Update July 14, 2025
  20. ^ "Khurmala Oil Field Targeted by Drone Attack | Iraq Business News". 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  21. ^ "Two drones fall in Khurmala oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, counter-terrorism service says". Reuters. 2025-07-14. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  22. ^ www.rudaw.net https://www.rudaw.net/notfound.html. Retrieved 2025-07-29. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ Rasheed, Ahmed (2025-07-16). "Drone attack halts oil output at Sarsang field in Iraqi Kurdistan". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  24. ^ Iran Update, July 16, 2025
  25. ^ "Drone attacks hit three north Iraq oil fields: Kurds". The Kurdish Institute of Paris. 16 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Drone attacks salvo strikes multiple oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan". www.euronews.com. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  27. ^ "Drone attack targets Tawke oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan". alarabiya.net. 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
  28. ^ "Iranian drone strike in Kurdistan Region of Iraq kills PJAK member, injures another". Hengaw (hengaw.net). 20 July 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  29. ^ Iran Update, July 28, 2025
  30. ^ "Kurdistan: 22 drone strikes tied to Iran-backed militias | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  31. ^ "Ministry of Natural Resources Condemns Oil Field Attacks, Urges Energy Sector Protection » Iraqi News Agency". Iraqi News Agency. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  32. ^ "KUNA : Iraq condemns oilfield attacks in Kurdistan - Politics - 15/07/2025". www.kuna.net.kw. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  33. ^ "Condemning Recent Drone Attacks in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  34. ^ "UK Condemns Drone Attacks on Kurdistan Oil Fields, Urges Baghdad to Act". پەرەگراف. Retrieved 2025-07-29.