Two children killed in blast targeting Iraq pipeline

Two children killed in blast targeting Iraq pipeline
An investigation has been launched into the explosion in Muthanna province, south of Baghdad, that killed two children.
1 min read
An investigation had been launched into the latest explosion [AFP/Getty]
An explosion targeting a gas pipeline in southern Iraq killed two children Saturday after a blast in the north this week forced the closure of another pipeline, authorities said.

An investigation has been launched into the latest explosion in Muthanna province, south of Baghdad, that killed "two children and wounded 28 people", state media said.

The attack came after a blast targeted an oil pipeline in the north of the country, according to a statement by the Kurdistan Regional Government released late Friday.

The statement said oil exports had been suspended after "terrorists" attacked the pipeline crossing the autonomous region to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on Wednesday evening.

It did not specify on whose territory the explosion took place nor who might have been behind it.

The pipeline built by the Kurds has a capacity of 600,000 barrels per day, but exports of oil under their control currently averages 300,000 bpd as demanded by OPEC.

Nearly 90 percent of the Iraqi government's budget comes from oil revenues.

Read also: Iraqis rally to revive year-old revolt against the system

Like Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan considers the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has bases in the autonomous region, as a "terrorist" organisation.

Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram to stay connected