An armed faction within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) political party has seized a second key piece of Kirkuk-area energy infrastructure – further escalating a showdown over control of the province’s oil and gas resources.The so-called “Black Force” special police unit occupied the headquarters of the North Gas Company (NGC) on Sunday, three days after taking over the IT-1 compound, which is a hub for gathering and pumping oil produced in eastern Kirkuk province.
MESOP “PUK MONEY MAKING”: PUK faction seizes more Kirkuk energy infrastructure
“Black Force” special police took over the North Gas Company headquarters Sunday, and continue to occupy the IT-1 station, as tensions over Kirkuk energy resources escalate.
Aso Almany, the leader of the “Black Force” special police and head of the PUK’s office in Kirkuk, speaks at a press conference on March 5, 2017. He is flanked by Shwan al-Daoudi (left), Rebouar Taha (right), and Biston Zangana (far right). (KAMARAN AL-NAJAR/Iraq Oil Report)