2 drones crash near major Iraqi oil field

Two drones fell near a major southern Iraqi oil field, two oil ministry officials told AFP on Friday, as the war in the Middle East causes unprecedented upheaval in the sector, reports AFP.

“Two drones hit communications towers near the Majnoon oil field, without causing casualties or material damage,” one official told AFP.

The oil field had already paused operations prior to the incident.

Oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun said it was the first time the field had been targeted, adding that one drone exploded after crashing.

Iraq is a founding OPEC member, and crude oil sales make up 90 percent of the country’s budget — much of which comes from Majnoon.

Several oil fields and facilities in Iraq have been hit by drones since the Middle East war began on February 28.