By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj 

Whenever tensions between Iran and the United States resurface, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) security agencies focus on the movement of the Turkmen Hashd, which is deployed in Amrly and Khurmatu, as the force has a history of attacking the Kormor field.

After the formation of the Hashd al-Shaabi forces to counter the formation of ISIS, one of its components was the Turkmen Hashd al-Shaabi.

However, the force's mission was not limited to counter-terrorism, but is accused of committing many atrocities, including the attack on the Kormor gas field.

What is the Turkmen Hashd and what is its composition?

The Turkmen Hashdi is a Shiite Turkmen armed force that operates within the framework of the Hashdi Shaabi. The force consists of four main brigades and their commands are divided into different areas:

1. The 16th Brigade, commanded by Nabil Isa, is responsible for protecting Bashir, Daquq and Taze Khurmatu.

2. 52nd Brigade: Commanded by Jassim Amrli, their headquarters are in Amrli, Khurmatu and part of Salahaddin province.

3. 63rd Brigade: Their headquarters is in Khurmatu and attempts have been made to expand it before.

4. Another brigade is active in Khurmatu under the command of Reza Kawsar.

The geography of power

These forces control an area they call “Turkmen Eli” or Turkmen territory. This geography extends from north to south as a security and ethnic belt and includes the cities and towns of Taza Khurmatu, Daquq, Duzkhurmatu, Sulaiman Beg and Amrly.

This area is of great strategic importance due to its location between Kirkuk and Baghdad.

the charges; From cormorants to destabilization

The force is accused of carrying out several acts of attack and rioting, including the attack on the Kormor gas field.

According to Panjara, there has been movement by some Turkmen Hashd groups in recent nights, which is one of the reasons for the suspension of work in the Kormor field along with the threat of Iranian attack.

Suspicions about the Turkmen Hashdi forces have a proven track record of doing the same.

Another Shahid-101 drone attack on the Kormor gas field in April 2024, killing four foreign contractors, reportedly originated in areas controlled by the Turkmen Hashd.

In addition, these forces are accused of preventing the deployment of joint Peshmerga and Iraqi army forces in Daquq. They are also sometimes accused of moving independently outside of central decisions, which has threatened regional stability.

Why the Geography of Turkmen Hashd Forces Matters in Any Iran–U.S. Escalation

As Regional Tensions Rise, Security Attention Is Once Again Turning to the Strategic Corridor Linking Amerli, Tuz Khurmatu, and Iraq's Most Important Gas Field

The deployment of Turkmen Hashd forces near strategic corridors has renewed concerns over the security of the Kormor gas field as Iran–U.S. tensions increase across the region.

Kormor Is Becoming One of Iraq's Most Strategic Energy Flashpoints

Whenever tensions between Iran and the United States intensify, one location quietly moves to the top of the Kurdistan Region's security agenda:

The Kormor gas field.

While international headlines often focus on missiles, nuclear negotiations, or naval deployments in the Persian Gulf, Kurdish security agencies increasingly monitor another potential pressure point—the deployment and movements of Turkmen factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), commonly known as Hashd al-Shaabi, particularly in Amerli and Tuz Khurmatu.

The concern stems from a simple but important reality: critical energy infrastructure is often targeted not because it is militarily decisive, but because it is economically and politically indispensable.

Why Kormor Matters

Kormor is not just another energy project.

It is the largest producing gas field in the Kurdistan Region and supplies natural gas that fuels power stations responsible for generating a substantial share of the region's electricity.

Any disruption could affect:

• Electricity generation.
• Industrial production.
• Public services.
• Government revenues.
• Investor confidence.
• Regional energy security.

Unlike crude oil, interruptions in natural gas production can rapidly translate into electricity shortages.

That makes Kormor one of Iraq's most strategically important civilian infrastructure assets.

The Geography That Shapes Security

Military geography often determines strategic vulnerability.

The deployment of Turkmen PMF formations around Amerli and Tuz Khurmatu places them along an important corridor between federal Iraq and parts of the Kurdistan Region.

This geographic position does not in itself imply hostile intent. However, during periods of heightened regional tension, security agencies closely monitor the area because of its proximity to infrastructure, transportation routes, and previous security incidents.

The combination of strategic location and historical precedent explains why Kormor repeatedly features in security assessments.

Why the Turkmen Hashd Draws Attention

The Turkmen Hashd emerged after the formation of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in 2014, when numerous volunteer formations were mobilized to fight ISIS.

Like other PMF components, Turkmen units played a role in defending communities threatened by the extremist group's advance.

Over time, however, Iraq's PMF evolved into a broad umbrella organization comprising numerous factions with differing local priorities, leadership structures, and political affiliations.

As a result, security analysts often distinguish between individual factions rather than treating the PMF as a single, unified actor.

Energy Infrastructure Has Become a Strategic Target

Across the Middle East, energy infrastructure increasingly serves as a pressure point during geopolitical crises.

Rather than engaging in direct conventional confrontation, armed actors often seek leverage by targeting:

• Gas fields.
• Oil pipelines.
• Refineries.
• Electricity transmission networks.
• Ports.
• Export terminals.

Such attacks can impose significant economic costs while avoiding direct large-scale military confrontation.

Kormor fits this pattern because of its importance to the Kurdistan Region's electricity supply.

The Iran–U.S. Factor

Every period of confrontation between Washington and Tehran raises concerns that local actors across the region could become involved, intentionally or otherwise.

Historically, periods of heightened U.S.–Iran tensions have coincided with increased security alerts around:

• U.S. military facilities.
• Diplomatic missions.
• Energy infrastructure.
• Logistics corridors.

Although the motivations behind any specific attack depend on the circumstances and responsible actors, energy facilities are frequently viewed as high-value strategic targets because they carry political, economic, and symbolic significance.

What Would an Attack on Kormor Mean?

Any successful disruption at Kormor could have consequences extending well beyond the immediate site.

Potential effects include:

Energy shortages

Reduced gas supplies could affect electricity generation across the Kurdistan Region.

Economic losses

Production interruptions could reduce revenues and discourage investment.

Investor confidence

Repeated attacks on critical infrastructure increase perceptions of political and security risk.

Regional politics

Attacks could heighten tensions between Erbil, Baghdad, and various security actors, complicating cooperation on energy and security issues.

A Test of Iraq's Energy Security

The security of Kormor increasingly reflects a broader challenge facing Iraq.

As the country seeks to reduce gas imports, expand domestic energy production, and attract foreign investment, protecting strategic infrastructure becomes as important as developing it.

Investors evaluate not only resource potential but also the reliability and resilience of the operating environment.

Implications for the Kurdistan Region

For the Kurdistan Regional Government, safeguarding Kormor is no longer solely an energy issue.

It has become a matter of:

• National economic resilience.
• Electricity security.
• Foreign investment.
• Public confidence.
• Regional stability.

Any prolonged disruption would quickly affect households, businesses, and public services, underscoring the strategic importance of protecting critical infrastructure.

The Bigger Picture

The debate surrounding Kormor highlights a larger shift in Middle Eastern security.

Modern conflicts increasingly revolve around infrastructure rather than territory alone.

Gas fields, power plants, ports, and digital networks have become central to geopolitical competition because they influence economies, governance, and public stability.

As regional rivalries evolve, infrastructure protection is likely to remain a defining element of Iraq's national security strategy.

Conclusion

The renewed focus on Turkmen PMF deployments near strategic corridors should be understood within the broader context of regional security planning rather than through assumptions about any single actor or inevitable future events. Kormor's importance lies in its role as a cornerstone of the Kurdistan Region's energy system, making it a natural focus for security assessments whenever geopolitical tensions rise.

Protecting Kormor is ultimately about more than defending a gas field. It is about safeguarding electricity supplies, preserving investor confidence, and strengthening Iraq's long-term energy resilience in an increasingly uncertain regional environment.

Strategic Implications

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