The director of Al Mayadeen's office in Baghdad confirmed on Saturday that one person was killed and six others were injured, as a result of the air aggression that targeted the Kalsu Base in Musayib, south of the capital, with three raids. He clarified that the aggression targeted the main entrance to the base and an office belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), adding that it was most likely carried out with drones.

In the meantime, Iraqi airspace remained bustling with the usual American air traffic, as confirmed by the director of our Baghdad office, who reported the monitored movement of an American air refueling plane in Iraqi airspace. Furthermore, another US State Department plane was tracked moving from Baghdad towards the Lebanese capital, Beirut, following the aggression, as per the ongoing report.

In turn, the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq verified that an explosion took place at its headquarters at the Kalsu military base.

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Iraqi security sources reported that an airstrike targeted the Kalsu military base, located south of Baghdad. The base includes forces from the army, federal police, and the PMF. The sources specified that the attack targeted the headquarters of the Chief of Staff of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a tank base, and the entrance to the headquarters of the Babylon Sites Command.

The Secretary-General of the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades in Iraq, Abu Alaa al-Walai said "We will respond to whoever is behind the attack on the PMF base".

US denies involvement in the attack 

US Central Command (CENTCOM) refuted what it described as "reports of American planes conducting airstrikes in Iraq today," stating in a brief statement released following the aggression: "We are aware of reports claiming that the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq today. Those reports are not true. The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today."

We are aware of reports claiming that the United States conducted airstrikes in Iraq today. Those reports are not true. The United States has not conducted air strikes in Iraq today.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2024

In turn, the international coalition led by the United States stated, "Coalition Forces did not participate or strike locations in Iraq. We are monitoring reports of an incident in Jurf Al Sakhar and remain prepared to support our Iraqi partners."

Coalition Forces did not participate or strike locations in Iraq. We are monitoring reports of an incident in Jurf Al Sakhar and remain prepared to support our Iraqi partners.

— Operation Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) April 20, 2024