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Drone Attack Suspected at Iraqi Shi'ite Ammunition Depot

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - An ammunition dump belonging to Iraqi Shi'ite militia forces --
   known popularly as al Hushd al-Shaabi -- exploded Tuesday evening,
   following Arab media reports of a drone strike on the area near Balad
   Air Base, 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Baghdad.

   If confirmed, it would be the latest attack against a Shi'ite militia
   weapons depot in recent weeks. One attack took place Aug. 12, with
   another targeting a Shi'ite militia checkpoint near the Syrian-Iraqi
   border at Albukamel several days earlier.

   It was not immediately clear who was behind the alleged drone attacks,
   but some analysts are pointing a finger at Israel.

   Amateur video of the weapons depot explosion Tuesday evening showed a
   massive fireball erupting high into the sky, followed by heavy black
   smoke and a subsequent series of smaller blasts. Rockets and missiles
   reportedly continued to detonate long after the initial explosion.

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