Français
Español
English
Portuguese
The existence of the base nearly came to light earlier this year following an encounter with Iraqi forces.
By United with Israel Staff
Israel established a covert military presence deep in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing senior U.S. officials and other sources familiar with the operation.
The forward base, set up shortly before the outbreak of hostilities and with U.S. awareness, reportedly served as a key logistics and support hub for the Israeli Air Force.
It housed Israeli special forces units and was used to position search-and-rescue teams in the event Israeli pilots were downed during missions over Iran.
While no Israeli aircraft losses have been reported, the infrastructure was put to the test during a separate incident involving a U.S. fighter jet.
When an American F-15 was shot down near Isfahan, Israeli officials offered assistance, but U.S. forces carried out the rescue independently, one source said. Israeli airstrikes were conducted to help secure the operation during the extraction.
The existence of the base nearly came to light earlier this year following an encounter with Iraqi forces. According to the report, a local shepherd alerted authorities after observing unusual military activity in the area, including helicopter flights. Iraqi troops were dispatched to investigate and approached the site at dawn.
As they advanced, the soldiers came under heavy fire and were targeted by airstrikes intended to force them back. One Iraqi soldier was killed and two others were wounded in the clash. Iraq subsequently filed a complaint with the United Nations, initially attributing the incident to the United States.
Officials familiar with the matter later clarified that U.S. forces were not involved in that specific strike.
On Sunday, an Iraqi security official responding to the report told Al Hadath that “during the Iran war, we identified unidentified military activity in the western desert of Iraq,” adding that Iraqi forces were unable to determine which country was operating there and were warned by the United States not to approach the area “for security reasons.”
The IDF declined to comment on the report.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
