BAGHDAD — Iraq has been forced to suspend operations in the northern
oil sector.
The Iraqi Oil Ministry has acknowledged that a series of Sunni strikes
in the area of Kirkuk have halted exports and refining. Officials said the
ministry would require at least a week for the resumption of the activities.
The suspended activities have included exports to neighboring Turkey and
the refining of oil, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said the insurgency attacks targeted a range
of oil facilities, including pipelines linked to power stations and oil
pipelines to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
"It's been total war," Oil Minister Thamir Al Ghadbhan said.
