Among the partners who were awarded was Mr. James Koku Ahiadome, CEO of JK Ahiadome Transport Company.
Popularly known as ‘Majaro’, Mr. JK Ahiadome is one of the leading petroleum haulage transporters in the Republic of Ghana.
Presenting a plaque to him, Managing Director of BEST, Edwin Alfred Nii Obodai Provencal, commended Mr. James Ahiadome for partnering with the company to transport petroleum products since the inception of the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: BOST Honours CEO Of J.K Ahiadome Transport Company
Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation (BEST) Company Limited formerly BOST has honoured Mr. James Koku Ahiadome, the Chief Executive Officer of JK Ahiadome Transport Company, for being the first transporter to work with them since the inception of the company.
BOST was incorporated in December 1993 as a private company limited by liability company under the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179) with the Government of Ghana as the sole shareholder.
The company was given the mandate to develop a network of storage tanks, pipelines and other bulk transportation infrastructure throughout the country and keep Strategic Reserve Stocks for Ghana.
Last month marked the 30th anniversary of the company.
On Saturday, 20th January 2024, the company held a Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral of the Most Holy in Accra and Awards Ceremony to climax the 30th anniversary.
The company awarded the founding Managing Director, Board Members, founding staff and partners.
Among the partners who were awarded was Mr. James Koku Ahiadome, CEO of JK Ahiadome Transport Company.
Popularly known as ‘Majaro’, Mr. JK Ahiadome is one of the leading petroleum haulage transporters in the Republic of Ghana.
Presenting a plaque to him, Managing Director of BEST, Edwin Alfred Nii Obodai Provencal, commended Mr. James Ahiadome for partnering with the company to transport petroleum products since the inception of the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Among the partners who were awarded was Mr. James Koku Ahiadome, CEO of JK Ahiadome Transport Company.
Popularly known as ‘Majaro’, Mr. JK Ahiadome is one of the leading petroleum haulage transporters in the Republic of Ghana.
Presenting a plaque to him, Managing Director of BEST, Edwin Alfred Nii Obodai Provencal, commended Mr. James Ahiadome for partnering with the company to transport petroleum products since the inception of the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Ghana: Daystar Power Commissions 4.3MW Rooftop Solar For Rider Steel’s Kumasi Factory
Daystar Power, a leading hybrid solar energy provider for businesses and industrial manufacturers in Africa and a member of the Shell Group, has commissioned a 4.3MW grid-tied solar system at the Kumasi factory of Rider Steel, Ghana’s largest steel producer.
The installation is the largest distributed solar power project for an industrial manufacturer in Ghana.
In a statement, the company said it mounted 7,524 units of 580Wp PV modules on the 30,000m2 factory roof.
All solar panels are connected to a remote monitoring system, allowing for preventive maintenance.
With the new solar system, Rider Steel will offset 49,900 tons of CO2 emissions over the installation’s 20-year lifetime.
“We’re delighted to inaugurate this solar system for Rider Steel, which is by far our largest project in Ghana. It’s a compelling example that shows solar energy can power heavy industry and integrate well with the grid,” said Jasper Graf von Hardenberg, CEO of Daystar Power.
“Rider Steel Group acknowledges and is dedicated to fostering a sustainable, eco-friendly future by minimizing our carbon footprint. We are thrilled to announce the inauguration of a unique 4.3MW solar facility in collaboration with our partners, Daystar. This solar installation will enable us to procure 20% of our electricity requirements from clean and sustainable energy sources, and underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable steel recycling in Ghana and across West Africa.
“We express our gratitude to Daystar and its dedicated team for their tireless efforts in ensuring the timely completion of this project,” said Walid Al-Alami, Director of Rider Steel Ghana.
Founded in 2017, by the African venture builder Sunray Ventures, Daystar Power counts the region’s leading industrial and commercial companies among its client base and is active in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Tanzania, and South Africa.
With over 400 projects completed in seven countries, Daystar has 100MW of power-generating assets. Daystar Power is part of the Shell Group.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: ECG Cautions Public Against Uncontrolled Bush Burning
The Electricity Company of Ghana has cautioned the public against engaging in uncontrolled bush burning as the practice often leads to burning of electric poles, thereby, affecting power supply.
According to ECG, this uncontrolled setting of fire to clear bushes across the West African nation, often ends up burning poles and distribution lines, causing serious damages to network system, resulting in outages and inconvenience to customers.
Between 2022 and 2023, over 3000 electric poles belonging to ECG and Northern Electricity Distribution Company were burnt due to activities of bush burners.
In a public notice issued by the ECG as Harmattan season sets in, it said “ECG wishes to inform all and sundry to be safety conscious when clearing bushes, and ensure the use of fire belts to prevent uncontrolled bush burning.
“Please be informed that ECG reserves the right to seek legal redress against offenders whose activities destroy our installation,” it stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Algeria: ExxonMobil In Talks With Algeria To Explore Oil And Gas
U.S. oil and gas supermajor, ExxonMobil is in talks with Algeria’s national state-owned oil company Sonatrach about oil and gas exploration opportunities in the North African country.
The North African nation’s Minister for Energy Mohamed Arkab said on Tuesday that a deal is expected to be reached in the next few days.
Algeria is pushing hard to boost its oil and gas output, and it is expecting to attract Exxon and other American companies to invest in its energy sector, as has already done, sources said.
Algeria’s oil production is at around 1 million barrels per day, and its gas at 106 billion cubic meters per year, according to figures released by Sonatrach.
Source: htts://energynewsafrica.com
Senegal: Vinci Energies, Senelec Sign $120 Million Contract To Expand Transmission And Distribution Infrastructure
Senegal’s national electricity company, Senelec has signed a $120 million deal with Vinci Energies, a French engineering firm to develop electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in the West African country.
The contract forms part of the second phase of a wider programme to expand Senegal’s transmission and distribution grid, with a view to efficiently and sustainably strengthening the country’s energy capacity by 2026 and to move towards universal access to electricity.
The 36-month contract involves building 1,350 km of high-voltage overhead and underground transmission lines and eight very-high-voltage transformer stations.
The distribution system will likewise be extended and densified, connecting several thousand homes.
The project will also see the enhancement of the grid management system, with the addition of a remote control interface to manage operations and detect defects in the overhead and underground power lines.
The transmission lines will be used to connect several thousand homes in Senegal to the national grid.
With support from Vinci Energies’ French and Moroccan subsidiaries, local teams will be trained to construct and operate the transmission and distribution infrastructure.
The project serves as part of Senegal’s strategy to strengthen the country’s energy capacity and achieve universal access to electricity by 2026.
The project which is co-financed by French Development Agency is poised to employ over 1,000 people.
Source: htts://energynewsafrica.com
Russia’s Crude Oil Exports Top Its OPEC+ Target
Russia boosted its crude oil exports in late December and early January and all its Asia-bound cargoes from its Western ports continue to pass through the Suez Canal/Red Sea route, vessel-tracking data monitored by reporters showed on Tuesday.
Russia’s crude oil shipments averaged 3.43 million barrels per day (bpd) in the four weeks to January 14, a rise of 94,000 bpd compared to the four weeks to January 7, according to the data reported by Bloomberg’s Julian Lee.
In the week to January 14, Russian crude exports by sea jumped by 166,000 bpd to 3.45 million bpd, down from the May-June 2023 levels, from which Russia has pledged to cut supply in the first quarter of 2024.
But the export level in the latest reporting week to January 14 was still less than half the 500,000 bpd cut that Russia has pledged for this quarter, the data compiled by Bloomberg showed.
In the week to January 7, Russian crude oil shipments averaged 3.28 million bpd—exactly 300,000 bpd below the observed exports by sea in May and June, which are used as reference levels for Russia’s promised reduction of 300,000 bpd of crude exports, Bloomberg data showed last week.
At the latest OPEC+ meeting at the end of November, Russia said it would deepen the export cut to 500,000 bpd in the first quarter of 2024 – with May and June 2023 being the reference export levels for the cut.
The cut this quarter will consist of reductions in exports of 300,000 bpd of crude and 200,000 bpd of refined products.
All crude cargoes loaded at the Russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas continue their journey to Asia – now Russia’s top export destination – via the Suez Canal/Red Sea route, per Bloomberg’s data.
While the Houthis are targeting tankers and container ships operated by the West, Russian shipments are considered to be relatively safe in the Red Sea, unless a tanker is hit by mistake.
Also worth noting in Russia’s oil shipments data is that Moscow likely continues to struggle to sell its Sokol crude, with Bloomberg estimating that 16 cargoes carrying more than 11 million barrels of crude are still stuck on tankers at sea and going nowhere.
Source:Oilprice.com
Zambia: Fire Outbreak At Zesco’s Northmead Sub-station Causes Outage In Lusaka
Zambia’s power utility company, Zesco Limited, has reported that its bulk sub-station situated in the Northmead area in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, caught fire under unknown circumstances on Thursday morning.
According to the company, the 33/11kV Dublin sub-station caught fire at about 09:30 hours.
The incident adversely affected power supply in several areas in Lusaka, including Garden Chilulu, Thompark, Northmead, Rhodespark, part of Emmasdale, part of Chaisa and part of Fairview.
A statement issued and signed by Eng Peter Chamfya, Director for Distribution and Customer Service, explained that a collaborative effort from the Lusaka City County and Zambia Airforce Fire Brigades successfully extinguished the fire from about 10:30 hours.
The statement said alternative power supply arrangements were implemented and by 11:56 hours, power supply was restored in all the affected areas.
“Zesco has since commenced investigations to establish the cause of the fire,” the statement said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: Power Minister Advises Nigerians To Stop Buying Transformers, Poles, Cables For Discos
Nigeria’s Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has advised his countrymen to stop using their limited resources to buy transformers, electric poles and other electrical materials for electricity distribution companies (Discos) before they are connected with power.
The Power Minister said it is the responsibility of the Distribution companies (Discos) to provide infrastructures such as cables, poles, transformers and the like that are required to deliver their services since it would be paid for by the consumers.
It is a common practice in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, for communities and individuals who want their homes and businesses to be connected to the national grid to buy electrical materials for Discos to facilitate the connection.
However, Adebayo Adelabu, who assumed the post barely six months ago, believes that the time has come for this practice to be stopped.
“A situation where communities buy transformers, cables and poles must stop.
As a minister, I don’t want to hear news of communities being asked to purchase electric transformers, cables and poles.
If the consumers are paying for the electricity, then, it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide these items.
“There must be improvement in power supply.
That is what the government planned to do. People should not pay for darkness.
When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators.
“We don’t want to hear the news of communities buying transformers, cables, and poles for themselves again.
The federal government frowns at it. You see what we have done in Kaduna. Service to our people is paramount.
It is the responsibility that Mr President has placed on us,” he said.
The Minister said President Bola Tinubu frowns at the situation where communities would be forced to purchase transformers, poles and cables and electricity distribution companies take ownership of the same to provide services that customers would still pay.
He warned that the current administration would not tolerate a situation where communities would be forced to purchase such items by themselves while also asking Nigerians to desist from paying for darkness, adding that a constant and stable power supply is one of the main focuses of the present administration.
Minister Adelabu said this during a courtesy call on the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan on Monday, when he also inspected power infrastructure and commissioned a substation.
The minister had earlier addressed workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria Sub-station, Ayede Ibadan, as well as management staff at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ring Road, Ibadan.
Touching on vandalism of power infrastructures in the country, Minister Adebayo Adelabu said, “Some people are working to destroy our national assets.
It is our responsibility to protect them (national assets) collectively.
“When you notice any strange movement around our national assets, let us escalate it.
Any strange movement should be reported to the security agencies. We can do it individually.
We have the support of Mr President, the National Security Adviser and all security agencies.
“We have seen the destruction of transmission wires in some parts of the country. These are the assets that cost billions of naira to install.
It is a fight that must be jointly fought.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: TCN Threatens To Disconnect Ajaokuta Steel, Aba Electric Over N44Bn Debt
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has threatened to disconnect Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and APL Electric Limited-Aba (APLE) for failing to pay their electricity bills that have accumulated to over N44 billion.
According to a public notice issued by the Market Operator of TCN, the two companies failed to comply with electricity market rules, thus, risking the suspension.
For ASCL, the TCN said the advert was a formal suspension notice: “As of the November 2023 billing cycle, ASCL has accumulated a total outstanding debt of N33,071,002,129.49 billion comprising of N30,849,749,981.01 billion for energy and capacity delivered by Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) and N2,221,252,148.48 owed to Service Providers.”
It added that on the 20th of March 2023, the MO issued a notification to the company for corrective actions within a specified period but an intervention by the Minister for Power temporarily halted enforcement actions to allow the company an opportunity to rectify its defaults.
While stating that the defaults remain unresolved, ASCL is required to settle all outstanding invoices and provide an adequate bank guarantee of N70,177,727.39 for MO’s invoice and N320m for NBET’s invoice within 14 days from the date of this notice.
“Failure to rectify these defaults within the specified period will lead to the disconnection of ASCL’s network from the National Grid, by section 45 of the Market Rules.”
It added that should the defaults remain unresolved after 30 business days of disconnection, the MO would proceed to terminate ASCL’s Market Participation Agreement and escalate the non-compliance matter to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for Business Continuity Regulation to commence.
For APL Electric Limited-Aba, it said the company had accumulated a total outstanding debt of N10,951,460,668.62, comprising N9,356,043,543.70 for energy and capacity delivered by Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and N1,595,417,124.92 owed to service providers.
It said to avoid disconnection, APLE Electric is required to settle all outstanding invoices and provide a bank guarantee of N331,222,149.10 for MO’s invoices and N3bn for NDPHC’s invoice, within 14 days and failure to rectify the defaults within the specified period would lead to the disconnection of its network from the national grid.
“Should the defaults remain unresolved after 30 business days of disconnection, the Market Operator will proceed to terminate APLE Electric’s Market Participation Agreement and escalate the non-compliance matter to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for Business Continuity Regulation to commence.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya: Ruto Commissions Naivasha Special Economic Zone Sub-Station To Boost Power Supply
Kenyan President William Ruto, last Saturday, cut a tape to officially inaugurate a substation at Naivasha Special Economic Zone in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, to boost power supply in the area.
The 90MVA Kenya Power substation aims to connect the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Inland Container deport (ICD) in Naivasha Industrial Park with 66/11kV reliable quality supply.
It will also enhance network expansion and quality of supply to customers within the Mai Mahiu area and its environs.
Ruto noted that the entity would power industries in the facility at reduced costs and create over 3,000 job opportunities for Kenyans.
“We are on course in our quest to transforming Kenya into an attractive investment destination and a leader in green industrialisation.
By equipping our Special Economic Zones with clean energy and essential infrastructure, we aim to attract foreign direct investments, drive industrial growth and enhance exports.
This is how we Plan to grow our economy and create jobs for our people,”
Ruto stated as he issued licences to six companies set to invest in the plant.
President Ruto was accompanied by Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, Governor Susan Kihika and various Cabinet Secretaries including Davis Chirchir (Energy), Rebecca Miano (Investments, Trade and Industry) and Zacharia Njeru (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation).
Also present were the Board of Directors of Kenya Power, the MD & CEO, Dr Joseph Siror, investors, among others.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
By equipping our Special Economic Zones with clean energy and essential infrastructure, we aim to attract foreign direct investments, drive industrial growth and enhance exports.
This is how we Plan to grow our economy and create jobs for our people,”
Ruto stated as he issued licences to six companies set to invest in the plant.
President Ruto was accompanied by Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, Governor Susan Kihika and various Cabinet Secretaries including Davis Chirchir (Energy), Rebecca Miano (Investments, Trade and Industry) and Zacharia Njeru (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation).
Also present were the Board of Directors of Kenya Power, the MD & CEO, Dr Joseph Siror, investors, among others.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Nigeria: Shell Exits Onshore Exploration, Sells Assets For $2.4Bn
British energy giant, Shell has agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore oil assets to a consortium of local companies for US$2.4 billion.
The company revealed this in a statement posted on its website.
According to Shell, it is selling its Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), for a consideration of $1.3 billion, with buyers making an additional payment of up to $1.1 billion relating to prior receivables at completion.
The buyer of the asset, known as Renaissance, is a consortium formed of ND Western, Aradel Energy, First Exploration & Production (E&P), Waltersmith, and Petrolin.
“Completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other conditions,” the statement reads.
Shell said it will remain a major investor in Nigeria’s energy sector through its deepwater and integrated gas businesses.
Following completion, Shell said it “will retain a role in supporting the management of SPDC JV facilities that supply a major portion of the feed gas to Nigeria LNG (NLNG), to help Nigeria achieve maximum value from NLNG”.
The SPDC JV is an unincorporated joint venture comprised of SPDC Ltd (30 percent), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (55 percent), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (10 percent), and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd (5 percent).
The SPDC JV holds 15 oil mining leases for petroleum operations onshore and three for petroleum operations in shallow water in Nigeria — operated by SPDC.
“The consideration payable to Shell as part of the transaction is US$1.3bln,” the statement further reads.
“The buyer will make additional cash payments to Shell of up to US$1.1bln, primarily relating to prior receivables and cash balances in the business, with the majority expected to be paid at completion of the transaction.
“The amounts above will be adjusted to reflect any shareholder distributions, above US$200 million, made prior to completion.
Other contingent payments, including those related to gas supply to NLNG, may become payable depending on business performance and fluctuation of product prices.”
Shell noted that it has three other main businesses in Nigeria that are outside the scope of the transaction.
They include Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Shell Nigeria Gas Limited (SNG), and Daystar Power Group.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta, simplifying our portfolio and focusing future disciplined investment in Nigeria on our Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions,” Zoe Yujnovich, Shell’s integrated gas and upstream director, said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Sentuo Refinery Test Run Products Are Of High Quality-NPA
Sentuo Refinery, a newly constructed refinery in Tema in the Republic of Ghana, which is currently undergoing a test run, has produced high-quality petroleum products, according to the petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, who disclosed this to a section of the Ghanaian media, said his outfit visited the refinery to inspect the ongoing test run and examined the samples of the products the refinery had produced.
The refinery which is owned by a Chinese investor has an initial capacity of 40,000 barrels per day and would gradually be upgraded to 100,000 barrels per day in the future.
The refinery expects to complete the ongoing test run between March and April 2024 after which the National Petroleum Authority would issue them an operational licence.
After the issuance of the operational licence, the refinery would then commence commercial operation.
Ghana spends US$400 million monthly to import refined petroleum products from Europe and the Middle East and this puts pressure on the local currency, the Cedi.
Although the West African nation has a crude oil processing refinery, TOR, it has become idle for some years as a result of poor leadership.
An attempt to get a strategic partner to bring Ghana’s refinery back to operation has been fraught with controversies due to a lack of transparency in the whole process.
Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid expressed the hope that the coming of Sentuo Refinery and Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, would help to bring the cost of fuel down.
“I am sure that when we get to 100,000 barrels per day ay, then, we can assure ourselves that we can get moderate pricing or reasonable pricing for petroleum products in Ghana,” he asserted.
“So for Sentuo Refinery, it’s good news for all of us,” he stated.
When reached via the telephone, Mr Albert Duncan, Engineering Consultant and Project Lead at the Sentuo Refinery, confirmed the high quality petroleum products produced by the refinery as stated by the regulator.
He was hopeful that the ongoing test run would be completed in March as scheduled for commercial operation to commence.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com/
Nigeria: Dangote Petroleum Refinery Starts Production
Africa’s largest crude oil refinery, Dangote Refinery has commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel.
Addressing Nigerian during the official opening of the refinery President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, encouragement, and thoughtful advice towards the actualisation of this project.
Dangote also thanked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerians for their support and belief in the historic project.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu for his support and for making our dream come true.
This production, as witnessed today, would not have been possible without his visionary leadership and prompt attention to details.
His intervention at various stages cleared all impediments thereby accelerating the actualisation of the project.
We also thank the NNPC, NUPRC and NMDPRA for their support.
These organisations have been our dependable partners in this historic journey. We also thank Nigerians for their belief and support in this project.
We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market within this month once we receive regulatory approvals.”
“This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone.
This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects.
This is a game changer for our country, and I am very fulfilled with the actualisation of this project.”
The refinery has so far received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore.
The first crude delivery was done on December 12, 2023, and the 6th cargo was delivered on January 8, 2024.
The Refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries.
The products from the Refinery will conform to Euro V specifications.
The refinery design complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms.
Employing state-of-the-art technology.
“I must extend our sincere appreciation to our Bankers and financiers, both local and offshore, who demonstrated a great deal of patience, in seeing us through many difficult times.
In the same vein, we thank the Government of Lagos State, under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been incredibly proactive in ensuring that the many challenges we encountered in the course of executing this project were quickly resolved.
I thank him immensely.”
“I also sincerely thank our host communities and their Traditional leaders for their sustained patience, forbearance, and admirable willingness to work with us to find amicable and win-win resolutions to the many issues we have had to deal with as the construction of this huge facility progressed.
Our staff have also contributed so immensely to the success of this project. I thank them profusely.”
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com/
Iran Missile Attack Kills Kurdish Oil Tycoon
A missile attack carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps killed a prominent Kurdish energy businessman at his home in Erbil.
Some outlets note that Peshraw Dizayee, who died in the attack with four family members, had purported ties with Israeli intelligence services and that the attack was in fact an assassination.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps itself said they had struck the “spy quarters” of Israel in Kurdistan, per Reuters report, which cited Iraqi state media.
“In response to the recent atrocities of the Zionist regime, causing the killing of commanders of the Guards and the Axis of Resistance … one of the main Mossad espionage headquarters in Iraq’s Kurdistan region was destroyed with ballistic missiles,” the IRGC said in a statement.
“We assure our nation that the Guards’ offensive operations will continue until avenging the last drops of martyrs’ blood,” the corps also said.
The attack on Dizayee’s house came after members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in Syria, including one senior commander, Reuters noted in its report. The deaths resulted from an Israeli airstrike outside Damascus.
The IRGC attack was condemned by Iraq authorities and the U.S. State Department.
The Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani called it a “crime against the Kurdish people”.
According to Reuters, Dizayee had close ties with the Barzani clan that runs the autonomous region.
“We will continue to assess the situation, but initial indications are that this was a reckless and imprecise set of strikes,” a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council said, as quoted by Reuters.
“The United States supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Iraq,” she added.
Forbes author and Middle East commentator Paul Iddon noted that while maybe reckless, the attack “wasn’t necessarily imprecise”.
Iddon noted the accuracy track record for Iranian ballistic missiles and the fact the IRCG had targeted the home of a local tycoon: in 2022, the corps fired missiles at the villa of Baz Karim Barzanji – another Kurdish energy heavyweight who was involved in plans to export natural gas to Turkey.
Source: Oilprice.com