One killed in explosion at Iraqi alliance paramilitary base; PM Zaidi orders investigation

An explosion at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Baghdad killed one member of the Iraqi paramilitary group and injured four others, according to security and medical sources.The group said a stockpile of obsolete ammunition had exploded, injuring five people and triggering a fire that has since been brought under control, Reuters reported.Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has ordered an investigation into the blast, according to an official statement.The PMF, known in Arabic as Hashd Al-Shaabi, is an umbrella organisation of predominantly Shia paramilitary factions that has been formally integrated into Iraq’s state security forces. It includes several groups aligned with Iran.The PMF is also associated with the Axis of Resistance, a network of Iran-aligned governments and armed groups in the Middle East that oppose Israel and US military influence in the region. Its principal members and partners include Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Palestinian territories, among others.The explosion occurred amid heightened regional instability, including continued tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and escalating clashes between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Houthis.On Friday, the US claimed that Tehran was facing severe financial pressure and was unable to fund its allied armed groups because of a naval blockade imposed by Washington. US central command (Centcom) commander admiral Brad Cooper attributed the financial strain to the US blocking Iran’s access to sea routes.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.