20 people killed, injured as pro-govt troops’ weapon stash explodes, north of Karbala
A huge bomb explosion in the Iraqi capital Baghdad
Speaking to Baghdad Today website, the source said, “the explosion of a weapon stash for the al-Abbass combat division [part of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces)] in al-Wand region, north of Karbala, left one person killed and 19 others injured, in addition to some damages to the houses, as missiles fell on them.”
The division announced forming three committees, after the explosion, for investigations.
According to BasNews website, a number of fighters were killed due to the explosion.
Ambulances rushed to the explosion scene to transfer the victims, while fire engines were putting off the huge fire that broke out.
PMFs store weapons at populated regions, which endangers people’s lives, according to media reports.
A similar explosion previously took place in Husseiniya region in Sadr City, which left around 50 houses destroyed, tens of people killed and injured.
The Shia-led fighters get part of its weapons and ammunition from Iran, either in the form of gifts or sales, that Iraqi government should pay for.
PMFs, an alliance of more than 60 mostly Shia militias, have been actively engaged in the government’s campaign that ran since October 2016 against the Islamic State, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014