Carlos ChristianApril 6, 2020
A policeman in a Basra oil field.Essam al-Sudani
At least three rockets have landed on Monday in the vicinity of the Energy City, on the outskirts of the Iraqi city of Basra. Although the attack has caused no casualties or material damage, the estate houses Iraqi and foreign oil sector companies, such as the American Halliburton, which some have seen as the target. So far no one has claimed responsibility, but it is striking that it comes just hours after the pro-Iranian groups agreed on an alternative prime minister candidate to the one proposed by the president two weeks ago.
“Three Katyusha rockets have landed near the site of the Halliburton oil company,” said a statement from the Iraqi Army. Shortly before, police sources had reported that the shells were fired at around three in the morning (one hour less in mainland Spain) on the Burjesia industrial estate, west of the city of Basra.
The Oil Ministry has described the attack as an “unjustified criminal act”. According to a statement from his spokesman, Asim Jihad, one rocket landed near a health center, another in the vicinity of the Zubair oil field (operated by the Italian company Eni) and three others in a wasteland. The Reuters agency also quotes an Iraqi Halliburton worker who claims they fell far from the site of that company.
Basra is the main city in southern Iraq and its oil center. The so-called City of Energy, located 20 minutes from the international airport, was launched a decade ago to provide the infrastructure and services that oil companies needed both for their offices and for their employees. However, most of their accommodation has been emptying in recent weeks due to the coronavirus. Given the risk of contagion, companies have preferred to evacuate their foreign personnel.
Sources with the state-owned company Basra Oil Co., which oversees oil operations in southern Iraq, have told Reuters that the attack has not affected production or exports. Police, who have found the rocket launcher with 11 shells still unused at a nearby farm, have intensified the search for those responsible.
It is difficult to understand the reason for the attack on the oil sector, the country’s almost sole source of foreign currency, at a time when the drop in the price of crude oil exacerbates both political difficulties and the fight against the coronavirus facing Iraq. “It does not make any sense. It’s like shooting yourself in the foot, ”interprets a western observer in Baghdad.
Hence, some analysts look at the moment chosen for the attack. Last night, most Shiite (pro-Iranian) political groups agreed to endorse Mustafa al Kazimi, head of the secret services, as the new prime minister in place of Adnan al-Zarfi, whom the president proposed a couple of weeks ago. Only the Alliance of Victory (Al Nasr) of former Prime Minister Haider al Abadi and Sairun of the incendiary Muqtada al Sadr were left out of the deal.
At the same time, the pro-Iranian militias that are commonly blamed for attacks on Western interests are divided after Abdulaziz al Mohammedawi has succeeded Abu Mahdi al Mohandes as the new leader. Al Mohandes was assassinated by the United States in the same operation as the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. His successor, Esmail Ghaani, also does not appear to command the same authority. His recent visit to Baghdad failed to convince his local associates of the inopportunity to provoke the United States at this time. Significantly, US President Donald Trump accused Iran shortly after planning a surprise attack on his troops in Iraq.
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