Blast at Iraq weapons depot injures 13, cause unclear

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s interior ministry says a large explosion at an ammunition depot southwest of the capital, Baghdad, has injured 13 people, most lightly.

Maj. Gen. Saad Maan, a ministry spokesman, said it was not immediately clear what caused the blast at the al-Saqr military base.

The explosion was heard throughout the city and smoke billowed in the air Monday evening.

RELATED

Baghdad’s Green Zone reopens to the public after 16 years

Baghdad’s Green Zone area, the heavily fortified strip on the west bank of the Tigris River, reopened to the public Tuesday after 16 years — a move meant to portray increased confidence in the country’s overall security situation after years of war.

The base houses a weapons depot for the Iraqi federal police and the mainly Shiite militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. The state-sanctioned PMF militias, which also receive backing from Iran, have fought alongside Iraq’s regular armed forces against the Islamic State group.

In Other News

Biden thanks Air Force Academy grads for choosing ‘service over self’

More than 900 academy graduates are becoming second lieutenants in either the Air Force or Space Force.

US defense secretary calls China’s refusal to meet unfortunate

On a stop in Tokyo, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of communication between Washington's and Beijing's defense authorities.

F-5N pilot ejects before jet crash

The pilot was evaluated and released from a local hospital following Wednesday's mishap.

Intel leaks ‘will never happen again,’ vows top National Guard officer

Gen. Daniel Hokanson said investigations so far have not shown systemic problems with who has access to the military's most sensitive secrets.

Chinese ship accused of looting iconic WWII shipwrecks

An illegal Chinese salvage operation is suspected to have raided two iconic World War II wrecks.

Fort Bragg to become Fort Liberty. Here’s what you need to know

Fort Bragg will be known as Fort Liberty by the end of the week. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the official ceremony Friday.

Air Force picks Colorado for more Space Force missions

Four more Space Force missions will now be based in Colorado Springs.

Three more states sending National Guard troops to US-Mexico border

Three more governors joined a growing list of states sending soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the U.S. border with Mexico.

Program allowing enlisted airmen to trade bases begins Thursday

The policy aims to give troops more control over their careers and keep them in uniform longer.

‘Total garbage’: Fresh confusion for overpaid Navy retirees

Despite pay statements indicating the debt would start to be garnished on July 1, Defense Finance Accounting Service officials say that is not the case.

Load More