Huge blast rocks military base used by Iraqi security force

A huge blast rocked a military base used by Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to the south of Baghdad late on Friday, two PMF and two security sources said.

The two security sources said the blast was a result of an unknown airstrike, which happened around midnight on Friday.

The two PMF sources pointed out the strikes did not lead to casualties but caused material damage.

The strikes targeted a headquarters of the PMF at the Kalso military base near the town of Iskandariya around 50 km south of Baghdad, the PMF sources said.

Government officials did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The PMF started out as a grouping of armed factions, many close to Iran, that was later recognised as a formal security force by Iraqi authorities.

Factions within the PMF took part in months of rocket and drone attacks on US forces in Iraq amid Israel’s Gaza campaign but ceased to do so in February.

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