Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
An explosion struck the headquarters of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in eastern Baghdad on October 17, with conflicting reports emerging over casualties and claims that the facility had been targeted in a strike.
The blast occurred at a PMF site east of the Army Canal in the Sadr al-Qanat area, near Saad al-Witri Hospital. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion, while footage circulated by local media showed flames and thick smoke rising from the area.
In a statement, the PMF said a stockpile of damaged ammunition had exploded inside the facility and initially reported no casualties.
Shafaq News, citing a security source, reported that four PMF members were wounded, some seriously. Asharq Al-Awsat separately cited sources as saying one fighter was killed and three others injured.
The cause of the explosion remained unclear. Sabereen News, a militia-linked channel, circulated claims that the headquarters had been targeted in a strike. Asharq Al-Awsat also reported that security personnel believed the site had been targeted, but provided no details establishing the nature of the incident.
The explosion was the second reported incident involving ammunition at an armed faction’s site in Baghdad this month. On October 1, munitions stored at a site belonging to an armed faction exploded in the capital’s southern Dora district without causing casualties, according to Shafaq News.
Many of the PMF’s factions are also believed to be members of the Iran-aligned Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The recent blasts came amid reports suggesting that both the United States and Israel are preparing to resume war against the Islamic Republic before the end of the year. They also came amid a heated confrontation between the Houthis, also allied to Tehran, and Saudi Arabia.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
- U.S. Completes Historic Withdrawal From Iraq
- U.S. Nears Complete Withdrawal From Iraq in Major Victory for Iran and Allies
