Iraqi security source: Blast hits near Iraq-Kuwait border crossing

Three Iraqi security forces informed Reuters that an explosion near to the Jraischan border crossing at the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border targeted on Monday evening a caravan transporting equipment for US forces. It was not instantly clear if there were any troops of the US in the convoy or if anyone had been wounded in the blast, which happened just before 9 pm Baghdad time (1800 GMT).

The sources reported that vehicles are put with military equipment at the crossing, and the cargo is usually loaded or unloaded before entering or exiting Iraq. While the Iraqi security sources declared that foreign companies are contracted by US forces to provide security in the area.

 A security source had reported in previous time that the blast was caused by an Iraqi Shia militia targeting a US military base near to the crossing by hiding an explosive material and that some staff on the base had been wounded, however, this was later contradicted by other security sources who declared that a convoy was attacked, not a base. Moreover, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Kuwait: We are currently looking into this matter.

A little known Iraqi Shi’ite militia group by the name of Ashab al-Kahf announced their responsibility for the assault and published a video that a blast at a distance. It reported that it was able to destroy US military equipment and large parts of the crossing.