Iraqi lawmaker demands probe into blast of 50,000 tank shells at Taji camp

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of Iraq's parliamentary Security and Defense Committee said unidentified individuals detonated approximately 50,000 tank rounds at the Taji military camp north of Baghdad. Lawmaker Jawad Rahim al-Saadi said the explosion took place at a military facility on the northern outskirts of the capital and coincided with the Arbaeen pilgrimage period. Al-Saadi warned that the detonation of the large stockpile would directly weaken the combat readiness and operational effectiveness of Iraqi tanks, leaving armored units without ammunition and eroding broader military capacity. He described the incident as a matter of national security and said the committee had formally requested the formation of an investigative commission to determine responsibility. The lawmaker called for the perpetrators and the motives behind the explosion to be identified, urging authorities to treat the case seriously and carry out a comprehensive investigation. No further details on suspects, casualties or the investigation were immediately available.