Iraq: Oil Giant Puts Exploration on Hold, but Kurdish Villagers Not Allowed Back on Their Land

Oct 2, 2014 | Independent Catholic News
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Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraqi Kurdistan visited its partners in villages affected by the ExxonMobil operations on 8 -12 September. The huge Exxoncamp near Hajji Awa, from which the company conducted the oil explorations in Gullan village and Shawre valley, sits almost completely empty. The government sent many of the guards to fight the ISIS on the front line.

ExxonMobil has stalled its operations in Iraqi Kurdistan because of the advance of ISIS forces and the war. The multinational corporation seems not to feel protected enough by the US air strikes, even though the US claims they are occurring for the “protection of US interests and personnel.”