Attack on Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk) oil field kills several Iraqi Security Forces members, ignites two oil wells

KERKESLOKH, Iraq — The Iraqi Oil Ministry on Wednesday issued a statement announcing that two oil wells in Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk) had been hit by a terrorist attack resulting in casualties among security personnel.

The Ministry said in a statement that the Bai Hassan field outside Kerkeslokh was hit by terrorist attacks early Wednesday. Wells No. 183 and 177 were bombed resulting in the death and injury of a number of security forces and police.

The Ministry’s stated that safety and fire teams of the North Oil Company and supporting government agencies managed to extinguish the fire at well No. 177. Work was underway on Thursday to put out the fire at well No. 183.

At the end of its statement, the Ministry said that these desperate attempts of the Islamic State will not discourage and will not stop workers in the oil sector from doing their utmost to protect the oil wealth of the country and will work to maintain production in the service of the public interest.

Sentinel-2 imagery from today shows smoke bellowing from Bai Hassan oil wells in #Kirkuk, Iraq, after alleged Islamic State attack on sites. Location: https://t.co/devZHYDYrU @sentinel_hub https://t.co/gMptZU7KU2 pic.twitter.com/WxQ8F4dMin

— Benjamin Strick (@BenDoBrown) May 6, 2021