December 27, 2022, marks the 19th anniversary of the truck-bomb terrorist attack against the "India" military base in Karbala, Iraq, which claimed the lives of five Bulgarian servicemen and injured dozens of others. The Bulgarian military contingent was part of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. Between 2003 and 2008 Bulgaria participated in the international mission with 11 contingents, totaling 3,367 people. 13 Bulgarian soldiers lost their lives during the operation.

Relatives of the victims have long criticized the military that Bulgaria’s servicemen were sent to the mission with old and inappropriate weapons and equipment. 8 years ago, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense disclosed documents about the attack on Bulgaria’s military base in Karbala. Some of the conclusions in this report are linked with protection weaknesses, insufficient use of available equipment, insufficient fences around the base, etc.