Report says Israel operated secret Iraq base during Iran war

AI Summary

A report has emerged alleging that Israel operated a secret military base in Iraq during the Iran war, providing support for air operations. The covert base housed special forces and was constructed with U.S. knowledge, raising international security concerns.

Report says Israel operated secret Iraq base during Iran war The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel established a covert military outpost in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran, citing people familiar with the matter, including US officials. According to the report, the installation housed Israeli special forces, served as a logistical hub for air operations and included search-and-rescue teams intended to assist downed pilots. The newspaper said the base was built shortly before the US-Israel war on Iran with the knowledge of the United States. The report said the site was nearly discovered in early March after a local shepherd alerted Iraqi authorities to unusual helicopter activity in the area. Iraqi troops were reportedly sent to investigate, but Israeli forces launched air strikes to keep them away and prevent the installation from being exposed. The Journal also cited an Iraqi complaint submitted to the United Nations later in March alleging that foreign forces carried out air strikes in the area, which Baghdad initially attributed to the United States.