Israel built an outpost in the Iraqi desert just before the Middle East conflict erupted to support attacks targeting Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on 9/5, citing unnamed US officials. "Washington was aware of this information," an official stated.

The base served as a station for Israeli special forces and a forward logistics hub for the air force. Tel Aviv deployed search and rescue teams there in case pilots encountered difficulties during operations.

A makeshift runway reportedly serving Israel's secret base in Iraq, pictured on 10/5. Photo: X/Clash Report

The secret base was almost discovered earlier in March. Iraqi media reported that a shepherd alerted authorities to unusual military activity in the area, including helicopter flights, prompting the Iraqi army to deploy forces to investigate.

"The Israeli military conducted airstrikes to prevent Iraqi soldiers from accessing the base," a source familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

The Iraqi government condemned the attack at the time. "The reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval," stated General Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of Iraq's Joint Operations Command, commenting on the strikes.

He added that upon receiving the information, Iraqi soldiers used Humvee utility vehicles to travel to the area at dawn. They came under heavy attack, resulting in one serviceman killed and two injured. Iraqi officials dispatched two additional units from the Counter-Terrorism Service to join the search, which found evidence of a military presence there.

Armored personnel carriers of Iraqi forces moving in the country's western desert region in 2017. Photo: AFP

"It appeared there was a unit on the ground before the attack. They received air support, and our units were not capable of confronting their operations," General Muhammadawi said.

The clash was widely reported by Iraqi and Arab media, sparking speculation about the identity of the attackers. In a complaint submitted to the United Nations in March, Iraq stated the attack "involved foreign forces" and attributed responsibility to the United States. However, the Wall Street Journal source stated that Washington was not involved in the strike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the Wall Street Journal's information. An Iraqi government spokesperson did not respond when asked if the country was aware of the Israeli base.

Information about the outpost, including the risks Israel accepted to establish and protect it, revealed more about how Tel Aviv conducts airstrike operations against adversaries approximately 1,600 km away.

Location of Iran, Israel, and Iraq. Graphic: WSJ

Establishing a base in Iraq allows Israeli units to get closer to the battlefield, shorten response times, and add options for infiltrating enemy territory.

Michael Knights, head of research at strategic consulting firm Horizon Engage, noted that Iraq's western desert region is vast and sparsely populated, making it an ideal location for establishing a secret outpost. "Reconnaissance and establishing such sites before launching operations is normal," he said.

By Pham Giang (According to Wall Street Journal, Reuters)