Explosion reported at US military facility near Baghdad airport ahead of Iranian president's visit

The expected visit by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Baghdad Wednesday would be his first official trip abroad since taking office

Iraqi security officials said an explosion targeted a site used by the U.S. military next to Baghdad airport late Tuesday, one day before an expected visit by Iran's president. The expected visit by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Baghdad on Wednesday would be his first official trip abroad since taking office.

Iraq's security media cell said in a statement that an explosion was heard at 11 p.m. at the airport, in an area used by advisers to the U.S.-led international coalition. The statement said Iraqi security forces were unable to determine the 'type or causes of the explosion, and no party has claimed responsibility for it.' It added that the incident was under investigation and civilian air traffic continued as normal.

There was no immediate information on damages or casualties. U.S. officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An Iraqi security official at the airport, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, said that officials who were at the airport preparing for Pezeshkian's visit heard 'the sound of two strong strikes,' which apparently targeted a logistics support site for the coalition.

Over the past 11 months, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have periodically targeted bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and have said that the strikes were in retaliation for Washington's support of Israel in the war in Gaza. One of those militias, Kataib Hezbollah, appeared to be trying to distance itself from Tuesday night's strike. Jaafar al-Husseini, the group's spokesperson, said in a statement that the targeting of the airport was 'carried out by suspicious hands, and its aim is to disrupt the Iranian president's visit to Baghdad.'

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!