CNN
—
The Iraqi army said on Saturday that a command center at the Kalsu military base south of the capital, Baghdad, was exposed to an explosion during the night, killing a member of the Popular Mobilization Forces and wounding eight others.
The Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, is a Shiite-majority paramilitary force backed by Iran. Based in Iraq. The PMF is responsible for the site where the explosion occurred, according to Muhannad Al-Anazi, a member of the Security Committee in Babil Governorate.
The cause of the explosion is still unknown. Israeli and American officials said neither was involved in the explosion, which came a day later Military strike on Iran Which was attributed to Israel.
The explosion and fire occurred at one o'clock in the morning local time at the Kalsu base, which is also the headquarters of the Iraqi army and police, according to the army statement. The statement added that an army member was among the injured.
The Iraqi army said there were no drones or aircraft in the air at the time. “There were no drones or fighter planes in the skies over Babylon [Governorate] Before and during the explosion. She added that she would form a committee to investigate.
The Popular Mobilization Forces said that the explosion occurred “at the Kelso military base in Al-Mashrou’ district on the highway north of Babil Governorate.” The Popular Mobilization Forces added that investigators are currently at the site of the explosion, which also caused material losses.
She added: “We will provide you with the details as soon as the preliminary investigation is completed.”
Unlike other Iranian-backed groups across the region, the PMUs are tied to local government, and closely linked to the Iran-aligned Shiite blocs that have dominated politics in Iraq for years.
The explosion comes at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East, with Israel waging a war against Hamas in Gaza, after the Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group launched a deadly incursion into southern Israel in October.
The exchange of strikes this month also brought the decades-long shadow war between Israel and Iran into the open.
Israel implemented a Military strike on Iran A US official told CNN early Friday, in a potentially dangerous escalation. Israel has He did not comment Iran did not specify the source of the attack, and no serious damage was reported.
After the Iraq explosion, an Israeli official told CNN that he was not involved.
Meanwhile, US Central Command posted on social media: “We are aware of reports claiming that the United States launched air strikes in Iraq today. Those reports are incorrect. The United States did not launch air strikes in Iraq today.”
In 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed a draft law recognizing the Popular Mobilization Units as a government entity operating alongside the Iraqi army. The organization is an umbrella group, under whose wing several forces operate – including Iraq's powerful Kataib Hezbollah.
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