Investigation Underway After Deadly Blast at Iraqi Military Base
In the early hours of Saturday, a significant explosion rocked Kalso military base, located roughly 50 kilometers south of Baghdad, resulting in the tragic loss of a member of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and injuries to eight others. The PMF, a security force that includes Iran-backed groups, has been shaken by this incident, with its force commander suggesting an attack as the cause. However, the Iraqi military has not confirmed this claim and is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
The Iraqi military is investigating the cause of the explosion, which killed one person and wounded eight others, with a technical committee dedicated to uncovering the details of the event. According to military statements, there were no signs of warplanes or drones in the vicinity at the time of the incident, as confirmed by air defense command reports and radar detection.
Amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, this explosion adds to a series of recent events that have put the region on edge. Just a day prior, an incident in Isfahan, Iran, which sources attribute to an Israeli attack, occurred without any immediate plans for retaliation from Tehran. This follows a series of exchanges between Iran and Israel, including an Iranian missile and drone attack in response to an alleged Israeli airstrike in Damascus.
The PMF, which has previously targeted U.S. troops and expressed solidarity with Palestinians during conflicts with Israel, had ceased attacks on U.S. forces following a drone strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan. Despite this pause in hostilities, they claimed responsibility for an attack on Eilat, Israel on April 1. The U.S. Central Command has since denied involvement in any recent airstrikes in Iraq.
As the investigation continues, the PMF’s chief of staff Abdul Aziz al-Mohammedawi has visited the site and reviewed information gathered by investigators. Footage from Al Ahad TV showed the aftermath of the blast, with debris scattered around a visible crater, confirming the severity of the explosion.
The PMF, initially a coalition of armed factions with close ties to Iran, has been formally recognized as part of Iraq’s security apparatus. The current investigation aims to provide clarity on whether this was an unfortunate accident or a deliberate act of aggression amidst an already volatile regional landscape.
