Explosion in Iraqi capital Baghdad amid heightened US-Iran tensions
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An explosion rocked Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Wednesday, several local outlets confirmed, reportedly killing a commander Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iran-linked armed group.
A Telegram channel affiliated with Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reported that Abu Baqir al-Saadi was killed in the attack that targeted a car in Baghdad. Al-Jazeera Arabic identified Saadi as head of the aerial division in Kataeb Hezbollah, a Iraqi militia that was widely blamed for the attack on a US base in Jordan killing three American troops on Jan. 28.
Two days after the Jordan attack and amid fears of US retaliation, Kataeb Hezbollah announced suspension of hostilities against US troops.
Sabereen News, a news outlet affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq, reported that a vehicle was targeted with missiles in Mashtal in east Baghdad around 9:30 pm local time (1:30 pm ET). The outlet later blamed Saadi’s death on “American aggression.”
At least three explosions heard in Baghdad, AlRasafa side near the general security to the east of the capital. Preliminary video showing a targeted car. pic.twitter.com/UQkD8rfqox
— Ali Hashem علي هاشم (@alihashem_tv) February 7, 2024
The explosion comes at a moment of high tension between US and Iran in the Middle East. Pro-Tehran Iraqi militias in have carried out more than 160 attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, the US military said. The United States carried out airstrikes in Iraq at least five times in response and launched its heaviest round of aerial attacks in Iraq and Syria last Friday.
The Iraqi government has called on international forces in the US-led coalition to wind down their presence the country amid the violence. The US and Iraq began dialogue on the issue last month.
The Iraqi government did not immediately comment on the explosion.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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