Iraqi Kurdistan government denies taking control of oil fields in Kirkuk

An oil company run by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil alleged that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s forces took over some oil fields in the disputed northern province.

Adam Lucente
Adam Lucente
May 16, 2022
A picture taken on October 17, 2017, shows excess flammable gasses burning from gas flares at the Havana oil field, west of the multiethnic northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.
A picture taken on October 17, 2017, shows excess flammable gasses burning from gas flares at the Havana oil field, west of the multiethnic northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Iraqi forces took control of the two largest oil fields in the disputed northern province of Kirkuk demolishing Kurdish hopes of creating a viable independent state. — AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq has denied seizing oil fields in the disputed region of Kirkuk. 

On May 14, the North Oil Company said that forces loyal to the KRG took over the Bay Hassan and Dawd Gurg fields in northern Kirkuk province, according to a statement. The company is operated by the Iraqi federal government’s Ministry of Oil and based in Kirkuk. 

The news was subsequently reported by several Arabic-language media outlets. 

The same day, the KRG issued a statement in which they denied “all allegations” on the matter.

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