One killed, others injured in explosion at Peshmerga base in Sulaimani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least one person was killed and several others injured on Tuesday when a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) exploded at a Kurdish Peshmerga military base in the Kurdistan Region eastern Sulaimani province, a commander told Rudaw.

“The explosion was caused by an RPG round. As a result, one person lost their life and four others were injured,” said Ahmed Latif, spokesperson for Unit 70 of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The incident occurred during a training exercise involving cadets from the Qalachwalan Military Academy, which is affiliated with the Iraqi defense ministry.  

In a statement posted on Facebook, the federal ministry confirmed the explosion, noting it took place during a scheduled live-fire exercise. 

The ministry added that the three injured persons “were immediately taken to the hospital” and “recovered after receiving medical aid, while the fourth student succumbed to his injuries.”

The body of the deceased cadet “will be airlifted to Baghdad,” the ministry added. 

Following the incident, the Iraqi defense ministry announced it has “launched an urgent investigation to determine the causes and circumstances” surrounding the explosion. Authorities pledged to “take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents and hold those responsible accountable.”