A military base in Iraq housing a pro-Iranian militia was hit by an explosion, resulting in the death of one individual and the injury of eight others, according to security officials in the area.
The Iraqi military stated that there were no drones or fighter jets present in the vicinity before or during the blast. However, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the militia organization involved, attributed the incident to an attack.
This development comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The PMF, an umbrella organization comprising several pro-Iranian militias, has been known to target US personnel and interests in Iraq in an effort to compel the withdrawal of remaining US troops from the country. The US has retaliated against the militias in the past.
Despite the PMF linking the explosion to an attack, the Pentagon has promptly refuted any involvement in the incident. The latest events have unfolded as the conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified, with both countries launching direct attacks on each other’s territory.
In response to a drone and missile barrage launched by Tehran on Israel, presumed Israeli strikes were carried out near the Iranian city of Isfahan. The Iranian action was seen as retaliation for an earlier attack on senior Iranian military commanders in Damascus, a strike believed to have been orchestrated by Israel.
The explosion at the Kalso military base, located approximately 50km south of Baghdad, occurred early on Saturday morning. A member of the PMF was killed in the blast, while eight others sustained injuries. PMF’s chief of staff, Abdul Aziz al-Mohammedawi, visited the base to assess the investigation findings.
The Iraqi military is currently investigating the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire at the base. A statement from the air defense command confirmed that there were no drones or fighter jets detected in the airspace prior to or during the blast.
As the situation continues to evolve, both Iran and Israel have issued warnings and threats of further retaliation in response to any significant attacks on their respective interests. The ongoing tensions between the two countries have raised concerns about the potential for a more escalated conflict in the region.
