Unidentified armed men attack oil wells in northern Iraq

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Wednesday, armed men attacked oil wells in a field in northern Iraq, without affecting the production process.

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil stated that armed men attacked two oil wells in a field near the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, with bombs, killing and wounding a number of security forces and led to two fires.

“The Bay Hassan field in Kirkuk governorate was subjected to terrorist attacks at dawn today, which resulted in the bombing of the two wells of 183 and 177, and a number of security forces and energy police were killed and wounded,” Ministry of Oil statement, said.

“The safety and firefighting teams of the North Oil Company and the supporting authorities were able to extinguish and control the well 177 in a record time, while these teams are working to control the well fire 183,”  the statement added.

Security officials said that the armed men also attacked a nearby security site, killing a policeman and wounding three.

“The attack on the site was intended to distract the police to allow others to plant the bombs,” one security official said.

On April 17, ISIS militants attacked Bay Hassan field, using explosive materials to blow up two wells, but without causing serious damage.