One person was killed and 29 others were injured after explosions were reported at a base of Iranian-backed Shia militias south of Baghdad, Iraq, according to Sky News Arabia. Shortly after, shells fell in the Green Zone of Baghdad where the American Embassy in Iraq is located, according to Sky News Arabia.
The Iraqi Ministry of Health earlier said 13 people were injured in the explosion, according to the Iranian IRNA news agency.
An Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that the explosions were caused by shells hitting the base held by al-Hashd ash-Sha’abi or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) located in the Abu Dshir area, according to preliminary information.
Al-Ain news reported that an unidentified aircraft carried out the attack on the base to which the PMU recently transferred heavy weapons and missiles.
Reuters reported that the explosions were caused by a large fire at the weapons depot and injured 14 people when rockets stored in the depot went off and hit neighborhoods in the area.
A police source said the fire was probably caused by negligence leading to poor storage conditions and high temperatures, according to Reuters.
Two attacks have hit bases held by Iranian-backed Shia militias in Iraq since the beginning of July.
The first attack happened on July 19 at a base in Amerli in the Saladin province north of Baghdad. Iraqi and Iranian sources blamed Israel at the time, and Asharq Al-Awsat reported that “diplomatic sources” confirmed the attack, specifying that it was carried out by an Israeli F-35.