Massive smoke plumes are visible at a British motor oil company in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq, following a drone attack amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The Castrol oil plant, operated by the Sardar Group, is ablaze after being struck by a drone, leading to a significant fire that emergency services are working to contain.
The conflict, which started on February 28, has engulfed neighboring countries like Iraq, making them targets for drone attacks. Disruptions to shipping in the Gulf and assaults on oil infrastructure have hindered Iraq’s ability to export crude oil, posing a threat to its primary revenue source.
The drone strike caused a massive fire at the Castrol oil warehouses, with the stored materials being highly flammable, resulting in extensive damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the staff at the site. Erbil governor Omid Xoshnaw confirmed multiple drone attacks on the facility, with firefighters struggling to control the blaze.
Meanwhile, Tehran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, hinted at potential strikes on British military bases in response to their involvement in the conflict. He expressed disappointment at the UK’s support of the American military presence in the region, suggesting that Iranian authorities are considering British military assets as possible targets for self-defense. The final decision on any actions will depend on the UK’s activities, as stated by Mr. Mousavi.
