Report reveals Israeli secret base in Iraq’s western desert

A secret Israeli military base in Iraq’s western desert was used to support air operations against Iran before the February 28 war, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials. The base, built with US knowledge, hosted Israeli special forces and served as a logistics hub for the Israeli Air Force.

Shepherd’s discovery and airstrike

The report states that the base’s existence was nearly exposed in early March when a shepherd noticed “suspicious helicopter activity” and alerted the Iraqi army. As Iraqi soldiers approached in Humvees, Israeli forces launched airstrikes to stop them. One Iraqi soldier was killed and two others wounded. Iraqi Joint Operations Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Qais al-Muhammadawi later said the operation was carried out “without coordination or permission.” Israel reportedly evacuated the base shortly after the incident.

Iraq blames US, Washington denies involvement

Iraq later filed a complaint with the United Nations, accusing “foreign forces” of carrying out the attack and pointing the finger at the United States. However, WSJ sources insisted that Washington did not participate in the strike. The base allowed Israel to operate closer to Iranian territory, enhancing its emergency rescue and special operations capabilities during five weeks of war. The Israeli military declined to comment on the report, while Iraqi officials denied the claims. Türkiye has repeatedly warned against any violations of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on all foreign powers to respect international law and refrain from turning the region into a theater for external conflicts.