Two explosions hit a major security compound in south Baghdad on Sunday because of faulty storage of ammunition, the interior ministry said.
The ministry said in a statement that the explosions in the Saqr compound, which is used by the federal police and Iran-backed units of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) militia, was caused by “high temperatures and ill storage”.
The statement did not mention any casualties.
Ministry spokesman Saad Maan said 20 fire trucks were sent to the scene and “initial diagnosis showed that old ammunition stored in three containers had caught fire”.
The compound is located just south of the Dora expressway that rings the capital. It was one of several militia bases where mysterious explosions occurred in August last year.
The PMF blamed some of the explosions on Israeli attacks.
But PMF factions are also known for their mishandling of munitions, especially in the summer months.
Depots belonging to the PMF have exploded in the past due to extreme summer temperatures and careless storage.
Security sources said the explosions at the Saqr base last year killed one person and wounded 29.
In the most deadly incident, at least 20 people were killed in June 2018 by exploding munitions stored in a mosque in Sadr city, a Baghdad slum. No one was held accountable.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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