Report Says Israel Ran Two Secret Desert Bases in Iraq for Iran Operations

Overview

• The New York Times, citing Iraqi and regional officials, reported Sunday that Israel operated at least two covert sites in western Iraq for more than a year, with one now believed inactive.
• One outpost near al-Nukhaib was exposed in early March when a local shepherd reported tents, helicopters, and a rough airstrip, and he was later allegedly killed by helicopter fire.
• An Iraqi reconnaissance unit sent the next day came under airstrikes that killed one soldier, wounded two, and destroyed two vehicles, which forced the force to withdraw.
• In closed meetings after the clash, U.S. officers told Iraq’s military chief that the forces at the site were not American, while Baghdad publicly denies any Israeli bases and the Pentagon offered no comment.
• Officials told the newspaper the sites served refueling and rescue roles that cut flight distance to Iran, a setup now drawing Iraqi scrutiny and likely pressure on U.S.–Iraq relations.