Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, a military base in central Iraq was “bombed” overnight on Friday. The US military has denied any role in the attack. At the same time, Iraq’s force PMF has said that there was a massive explosion at the command post of its Kalso Military Base, which is just 50 kilometers away from Baghdad. Sources have said that the reason behind the blast is airstrike. Security sources have also said that one PMF fighter has died in this attack, while six soldiers have been injured, who have been admitted to the hospital.
According to news agency Reuters, “Some people present at the base were also injured due to the blast.” A team is also investigating the blast. However, it is not yet known who is behind the airstrike and who has done this. At the same time, America has said that no American military activity has been done in Iraq.
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One person died while eight were injured in the explosion at Kelso Base Camp. The interior ministry told AFP that the former pro-Iranian paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi was deployed at the base.
A statement from Hashd al-Shaabi said the overnight attack had caused significant damage. It is now part of Iraq’s security forces.
AFP quoted ministry sources as saying that the explosions occurred in “warehouses storing equipment”. There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack yet.
The US military said on social media that its forces were not involved in the attack. It said, “We are aware of reports claiming that the United States has conducted airstrikes in Iraq today. Those reports are not true. The United States has not conducted airstrikes in Iraq today.”
The latest attack comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, the Middle East’s two arch enemies, who are on the brink of war as a result of the Gaza conflict.
Earlier this month, Israel attacked Iran’s embassy in Syria, killing at least 11 people, including a top Revolutionary Guard commander. In response, Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel earlier this week.
Israel adopted a tit-for-tat approach when it launched a drone attack on Iran on Friday and explosions were reported near Isfahan, Iran’s third-largest city, prompting it to activate its air defense system in several cities, according to US officials. .
There were reports of missiles being fired in the attack, but Iran said they had shot down several drones and “there is currently no missile attack”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, speaking to NBC News, downplayed Friday’s drone attack and said that its connection to Israel has not yet been proven. He also called drones “toys that our children play with.”
He also warned that if Israel acts against Iran’s interests, its response will be immediate and at the “maximum level.” “If Israel wants to make another audacity and act against Iran’s interests, our next response will be immediate and at the maximum level,” he said.
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