Updated

Terrorists have attacked a major oil pipeline south of this city ceasing exports through Turkey (search), an official with the North Oil CO. said Tuesday.

The pipeline, in the area of Fatha, 110 kilometers (70 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, was bombed late Monday, the official added on condition of anonymity. The line leading from the northern oil fields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, a principal export route for Iraqi oil, was on fire, he said.

Firefighters were trying to extinguish the blaze Tuesday morning.

Oil-rich Kirkuk is about 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad (search).

Insurgents have often targeted Iraq's (search) oil infrastructure, repeatedly cutting exports and denying the country much-needed reconstruction money.