Controlled explosion neutralizes drone near Hashd al-Shaabi HQ in Diyala

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Specialist teams working with Iraqi security forces carried out a controlled explosion on a drone found near a Hashd al-Shaabi headquarters on the Khalis-Baqubah road in Diyala province. The operation was completed successfully, and there were no casualties or material damage, a local correspondent reported. Officials said the unmanned aerial vehicle appeared to have fallen and been abandoned at the site during earlier security and military tensions in the area months earlier. The device was detected by security patrols before being dealt with by explosive ordnance specialists. The blast was detonated at a safe distance, with no spread to any civilian areas, according to the officials. Security measures in the surrounding area have been reinforced while teams continue to inspect the site. No further details were immediately available.