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The bases were constructed in remote desert areas beginning in late 2024, with at least one site known to the United States by mid-2025.
By United with Israel Staff
Israel has established at least two secret military bases in Iraq, according to a report by The New York Times citing Iraqi officials, shedding new light on the scope of Israel’s covert operations during its campaign against Iran.
The report builds on earlier findings by The Wall Street Journal, which revealed that Israel had set up a hidden outpost in Iraq to support its air campaign and had even carried out strikes to prevent the site from being exposed early in the war.
According to Iraqi sources, the bases were constructed in remote desert areas beginning in late 2024, with at least one site known to the United States by mid-2025. Officials said the locations were selected for their isolation and strategic value in future regional conflicts.
The New York Times report also cited Iraqi officials who said Washington pressured Baghdad to shut down radar systems during the conflict, limiting Iraq’s ability to detect Israeli activity and increasing its reliance on U.S. monitoring.
One of the bases nearly came to light earlier this year after a local shepherd stumbled upon unusual military activity in Iraq’s western desert, including helicopters, armed personnel, and a makeshift landing strip, according to the report.
After alerting Iraqi authorities, the area was placed under surveillance, and troops were eventually dispatched to investigate. As they approached the site, they came under heavy fire and were struck by airstrikes that forced them to withdraw, killing one soldier and wounding two others.
Iraq later filed a complaint with the United Nations, initially blaming U.S. forces, though officials later clarified that American troops were not involved in the strike.
The reports point to Israel’s ability to project power far beyond its borders in its campaign against Iran, even inside countries where it has no formal ties. For Iraq, the presence of Israeli bases raises difficult questions about sovereignty and control.
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