Airstrike hits military base south of Baghdad used by terror organization, sources say

• Published date: 20 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Significant strikes were carried out overnight between Friday and Saturday against targets of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, south of Baghdad, as reported by Saudi-owned Al-Hadath network. Additionally, Iraqi media claimed that the attack was carried out by a number of drones targeting a military base belonging to the militias. Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces said on Saturday that the explosion which took place at its command post at Kalso military base was the result of an attack

One member of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces was killed and eight wounded in an explosion at its command post on the Kalso military base 50 km (30 miles) south of Baghdad, a military statement said on Saturday.

There were no drones or fighter jets detected in the air space of the Babylon area before or during the blast, the military confirmed in a statement.

According to reports, during the attack, two separate waves of strikes were conducted. Two PMF sources claimed that the strikes did not lead to casualties but caused material damage.

"The blast has caused material damage and injuries," PMF said in a statement, adding that a team was investigating. This is despite a report from two sources at a hospital in the nearby city of Hilla who said that one PMF fighter was killed and six were wounded.

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

According to Al-Hadath, the attack was carried out by three F-35 jets. An American official claimed the attack was conducted outside Iran's territory. However, another report by CNN stated that no significant damage was recorded at the site. The attack took place near Osfia, located in Iran.

Dozens of American and Israeli aircraft were reportedly flying in the vicinity of Iraq, according to sources in the country. Additionally, the Iraqi sources claimed that among the waves of bombings to the south of the city Baghdad, an arsenal of weapons belonging to...