Pipeline Sabotage in Iraq

From Middle East Online. I found this article in the News section of antiwar.com

[Iraq oil pipeline on fire


Fires blaze on major oil pipeline from Iraq's northern oilfields after twin bomb attacks aimed at sabotaging exports.


By Lamia Radi - MAKHOUL, Iraq

Fires blazed on a major pipeline from Iraq's northern oilfields Friday after what residents said were twin bomb attacks aimed at sabotaging exports through Turkey.

A correspondent saw two separate fires on the pipeline, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the key refinery town of Baiji, close to the main highway between Baghdad and the northern regional capital of Mosul.

US military helicopters hovered overhead.

Residents questioned at the nearby Al-Amin coffee shop said the pipeline had been attacked by Iraqis using explosives around 8:45 pm (1645 GMT) Thursday, the same day Iraq awarded its first post-war oil export contracts.

"We heard two explosions and ran," said the coffee shop's owner, Abu Ala. "We saw fire shooting out of the pipeline in two places. Shortly afterwards two American helicopters arrived."

Customers said it had been a deliberate act of sabotage.

"Some Iraqis came and blew it up," said Kazem Ibrahim.

"It's to stop the Americans taking the oil out to Turkey," said Khidr Aziz.]