Unexploded ordnance kills 14 IRGC members in clearance operation

In Iran, fourteen members of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed and two others wounded in an explosion caused by unexploded ordnance in the country’s northwestern Zanjan Province, Iranian media reported. The blast occurred on Friday as IRGC demolition teams were conducting a clearance operation in a contaminated area near the city of Zanjan, according to statements carried by state news agency IRNA. The teams had entered the site to identify and neutralize munitions left behind from recent airstrikes when the explosion happened. It is the largest number of IRGC members reported to be killed since the ceasefire began on April 7. The report says the ammunition included cluster bombs and air mines dropped during the fighting.
“While conducting neutralization operations, the explosion of one of the unexploded ordnances led to a bitter incident in which 14 serviceable and devoted forces attained the high rank of martyrdom, and two others were wounded,” Iranian media cited the IRGC as saying.Fars News Agency also cited the IRGC as saying that “1,200 hectares of agricultural land were contaminated by bombs.”