Drone Strike Causes Major Fire at Erbil Oil Refinery
Significant Incident at Lanaz Refinery
A drone attack ignited a substantial fire at the Lanaz refinery located in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil on Saturday, prompting authorities to halt operations at the site. Footage shared online depicted large flames and dense black smoke rising from the refinery. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, officials from the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources informed Reuters that the fire has been contained, although operations at the refinery remain suspended.
Provincial authorities indicated that the facility would remain closed until the fire resulting from the drone strike is completely extinguished and a thorough assessment of the damage can be conducted.
A drone attacked an oil refinery in Erbil — ReutersAs a result of the strike, a fire broke out at the Lanaz refinery, and the facility’s operations were suspended.Additionally, multiple attacks on American bases have occurred in several countries in the Persian Gulf:… pic.twitter.com/c309cdProw
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 15, 2026
In related developments, pro-Iran militias, operating under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have previously taken responsibility for drone and missile strikes aimed at NATO bases in Erbil and other locations in Baghdad. On the same day, a drone strike targeted the United States Embassy in Baghdad, resulting in a fire and damage within the compound. This incident marks the second attack on the embassy since the U.S. and Israel initiated strikes against Iran.
Additionally, several drones have been intercepted near Baghdad International Airport amid rising tensions. Earlier on Friday, another drone attack targeted the airport complex, which houses both military installations and a U.S. diplomatic facility.