Israel reportedly established a covert military outpost in Iraq’s western desert shortly before the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran in February, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The clandestine facility is said to have housed Israeli special forces and functioned as a logistics and rescue hub to support air operations targeting Iran.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said the base was constructed with US knowledge and played a key role in backing Israeli air force operations during the five-week campaign.
Iraqi troops nearly discovered the base
The secret outpost was reportedly almost uncovered in early March when Iraqi troops moved to investigate unusual activity in the desert after a local shepherd reported helicopter movements in the area.
According to the report, Israeli forces launched airstrikes to prevent Iraqi troops from reaching the site.
The incident was publicly condemned by Iraq at the time after one Iraqi soldier was killed.
“This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval,” Iraqi Joint Operations Command deputy chief Lt Gen Qais Al-Muhammadawi said following the strike.
Iraq later filed a complaint with the United Nations, attributing the attack to US forces.
However, the Wall Street Journal reported that the United States was not involved in that specific strike.
Role in rescue operations
The base reportedly served as a forward rescue and support centre for Israeli air force missions over Iran.
Israeli search-and-rescue teams were stationed there to respond rapidly if any Israeli aircraft were shot down during strikes.
The report also claimed Israel offered assistance when Iran reportedly downed a US F-15 near Isfahan.
Israeli teams deployed at the Iraqi base were said to be prepared to help locate and recover the downed American airmen.
According to the report, US forces ultimately conducted the rescue operation themselves, while Israeli airstrikes provided cover for the extraction effort.
Strategic importance
Security analysts say the location gave Israel critical proximity to Iranian territory.
The vast and sparsely populated Iraqi western desert has long been considered strategically valuable for temporary military deployments.
Michael Knights, a strategic affairs expert quoted in the report, said establishing such forward operating sites is standard practice ahead of major military operations.
“It’s normal that before operations you reconnoitre and set up these kinds of locations,” he said.
The region has previously been used by US Special Forces during operations against Saddam Hussein in both 1991 and 2003.
Hints of covert operations
Israeli officials have not officially confirmed the existence of the base.
However, senior Israeli military leaders had previously hinted at secretive missions during the Iran conflict.
In early March, then-Israeli Air Force chief Tomer Bar wrote to personnel that special air force units were carrying out missions “which could ignite the imagination.”
The reported revelation adds another layer to what has already emerged as one of the most complex and covert regional military operations in recent years.
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