Illustrative image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
Israel set up a secret military base in the Iraqi desert to support its aerial campaign against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on May 9, citing United States officials and other sources.
Israel built the base shortly before the war began in late February to serve as a hub for logistics to support the Israeli Air Force, according to the sources, who noted that the base also housed special forces troops and search-and-rescue teams.
To protect the outpost, Israeli troops even launched strikes against Iraqi forces who nearly discovered it in early March, the report added.
The strikes 4 on March killed one Iraqi soldier, the Iraqi government said at the time, after Iraqi media reported that a local shepherd witnessed “unusual military activity,” including helicopters and gunfire in a remote area near the central city of Karbala. According to the WSJ, the Israeli strikes succeeded in deterring Iraqi forces from further investigation.
Iraq, which initially blamed the attack on the Americans, said: “This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval.” However, the U.S. was not involved in the operation, sources told the news outlet.
“It appears there was a certain force on the ground before the strike, supported from the air, operating beyond the capabilities of our units,” a top Iraqi military official said at the time.
The report points to statements made by Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar in March, when he said that special forces had been conducting “extraordinary” operations during the conflict with Iran.
“The troops of the air force’s special units are currently carrying out extraordinary missions that can spark one’s imagination,” Bar said, without elaborating further.
WSJ report is not surprising. As mentioned, there were already reports in Iraqi media of unusual activities in several remote areas, mainly near Karbala. Still, these activities were previously attributed to the U.S., which is likely the reason why Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq didn’t take serious action.
If the war resumes, it will be harder for Israel to use Iraqi territories in such a way, as the Iraqis will likely react faster and with more force to any suspicious activities.
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