1 dead, several injured as massive explosion rocks Iraq's military base; US refuses its involvement

Amid the brewing tensions in the Middle East, a massive blast rocked a military base in Iraq, killing one person and injuring several others. According to AFP, the military base where the incident occurred is used by Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and is located to the south of Baghdad.

While the cause of the explosion is yet to be revealed, the incident was confirmed by Muhannad al-Anazi, a member of the Security Committee in Babylon Governorate, south of the capital Baghdad.

Shortly after the reports of the blast, both Israel and the United States made it clear that they were not involved in the attack. What makes the incident concerning is the fact that it happened a day after a military strike shook Iran which has been attributed to Israel.

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PMF releases a statement

The attack took place at the Kalsu facility in the city of Babylon which is used by PMF. The PMF is an umbrella body of dozens of armed groups and the base is home to its chief of staff.

“An explosion occurred at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces at the Kalsu military base in the Al-Mashrou district on the highway, north of Babil Governorate,” the body said in a statement.

“An investigation team immediately arrived at the scene, and the explosion caused material losses and injuries. We will provide you with the details once the preliminary investigation is completed,” it furthered.

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Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a statement in which they dismissed America’s involvement in the attack. “We are aware of reports claiming that the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq today. Those reports are not true. The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today,” CENTCOM wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

We are aware of reports claiming that the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq today. Those reports are not true. The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2024

In 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed a bill to recognise the PMF as a government entity operating alongside the Iraqi military. The base in question was once used by US forces.

It is also important to note that factions within the PMF took part in rocket and drone attacks on US forces in Iraq during the early months of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

With inputs from agencies.