PETROCELTIC International is to suspend its oil and gas operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to evacuate non-essential personnel amid the turmoil in the country.

The company said: "We have been closely monitoring recent events in the region. While these developments have not directly impacted our exploration activities to date, in line with other operators in the region, it has been decided, as a precautionary measure, to temporarily secure and suspend operations."

The Dublin-based firm bought Edinburgh-based Melrose Resources in 2012.