Explosion rocks PMF warehouse south of Baghdad

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - An explosion occurred Thursday at a Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) "logistics support" warehouse south of Baghdad, according to officials.

The PMF released a statement detailing the incident: "At 19:00 on 7/18/2024, an explosion occurred in the logistical support warehouses of the 42nd Brigade, affiliated with the Salah al-Din Operations Command, specifically the rear camp in the Yusufiyah area, south of Baghdad."

The PMF reported that efforts were underway to extinguish the resulting fire, and a specialized technical committee had been formed to investigate the cause of the explosion.

A security source confirmed the explosion, stating that the reasons behind it remain unknown. A PMF official did not dismiss the possibility of an "air strike," noting that the warehouse was "technically secured in a way that does not accept any accidental incident."

This incident follows an explosion and fire in April at the Kalsu base in Babil province, which houses the army, police, and PMF forces.

Read More: Explosions rock Kalsu Military Base south of Baghdad

That incident resulted in one fatality and eight injuries. An Iraqi technical committee investigating the Kalsu explosion ruled out an external attack, suggesting that it was likely caused by "highly explosive materials" stored at the site.

Read More: Investigation launched following explosion at Kalsu military base

The PMF, part of the Iraqi security forces under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister, faces another challenge with this latest explosion.

This event comes shortly after an attack on the Ain al-Assad military base, home to international coalition forces in western Iraq, where two drones struck on Tuesday night without causing damage or casualties.

Read More: Iranian-Backed Militia Launches Drone Attack on US Forces in Iraq