One person was killed and eight others were injured in an explosion that occurred Friday (19/4) evening at an Iraqi military base hosting a coalition of pro-Iran armed groups, officials said on Saturday.
The blast hit the Kalsu military base in Babylon province south of Baghdad, where Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, or Hashed al-Shaabi, are based.
This comes days following Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel which reportedly retaliated with a drone strike once morest the Islamic republic.
The Iraqi security forces’ media unit said an explosion and fire hit the Kalsu base early Saturday, leaving one person dead and eight injured.
The air defense command reported “no drones or warplanes in the airspace of Babel province before or during the explosion”, it added in a statement.
An interior ministry official initially reported an “aerial bombardment” at the site.
Also read: Security Source Says ‘Bombing’ Hit Iraqi Military Base
In a statement, Hashed al-Shaabi said an explosion had caused material losses and casualties, without specifying the number.
The group confirmed that their location at the military base had been attacked and that investigators had been sent to the location. No party has yet claimed responsibility.
In response to AFP questions, a security source did not say who might be behind the attack. “The blast hit equipment, weapons and vehicles,” said an Iraqi Interior Ministry source. (AFP/M-3)
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