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Deadly explosion hits Iraq PMU’s headquarters
The full details remain unclear hours after the blast hit the Kalsu military base in Babylon Province south of Baghdad, where regular army, police and of PMU members are stationed, AFP reported.
The Iraqi security forces’ media unit said “an explosion and a fire” hit the Kalsu base in the early hours of Saturday, leaving one person dead and eight wounded.
Air defense command reported “no drones or combat aircraft in the airspace of Babylon Province before or during the explosion”, it added in a statement.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Shortly after the explosion, the US military said its forces were not behind a reported strike in Iraq.
“The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on social media platform X, adding that reports that American forces had carried out a strike were “not true”.
When reached by AFP, the Israeli army said it “does not comment on information published in foreign media”.
In a statement, the PMU said investigators had been sent to the site.
On Saturday morning, however, the PMU issued another statement that referred to a meeting between its chief of staff and investigation committees “on the site that has been attacked”.
The PMU is an integral part of the official Iraqi security apparatus under the authority of the prime minister.