A major military facility near Baghdad, known for its links to Iran, was rocked by a powerful explosion, resulting in significant material damage and injuries. Both Israeli and American officials have denied any involvement in the incident told Bloomberg News.
A substantial explosion occurred at a military base close to Baghdad, housing members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an organization known for its strong ties to Iran. Various reports confirmed this incident.
The PMF released a statement following the explosion, stating that it resulted in “material damage and injuries”. According to Reuters, one PMF fighter lost his life, while six others sustained injuries.
In response to the explosion, both Israeli and American officials denied any involvement. The US Central Command clarified to the press that there had been no US airstrikes in Iraq on that particular day. Similarly, an Israeli official informed CNN that Israel had no role in the reported explosions in Iraq.
The explosion took place approximately 20 miles to the south of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The site was the Kalsu military base, which serves as the headquarters for the PMF.
The Institute for the Study of War has noted that the PMF, a formal Iraqi security force, has been infiltrated by Iran. This infiltration allows Iran to wield significant influence in Iraq, while simultaneously obscuring its involvement in Iraqi internal affairs.
PMF groups have been implicated in several rocket and drone attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria since last October. This was when Israel declared war against Hamas. This explosion in Iraq occurred just one day after Israel executed a “limited” strike near a major airbase in Iran’s central city of Isfahan, which is home to an underground uranium enrichment site and 2 million people, according to the think tank.
The Israeli strike was in retaliation to an unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel from Iran. This attack was itself a response to the bombing of an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria.
