Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
“Israel” established an illegal clandestine military outpost in Iraq’s western desert to support its aggression against Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing individuals familiar with the matter, including US officials.
According to the accounts, the installation was set up shortly before the war began and was used as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force, housing special forces units, and supporting operational coordination during the aggression.
The US was aware of the establishment of the site.
Operational role and military activity
The facility was reportedly used to position search-and-rescue teams in case Israeli pilots were downed during attacks launched against Iran.
According to one of the individuals cited, “Israel” also carried out airstrikes in Iraq to protect the site when its existence came under threat.
The base allegedly enabled closer operational reach to targets in Iran, facilitating air operations conducted over long distances during the war.
Incident involving Iraqi forces
In early March, Iraqi state media reported unusual activity in a desert area after a local shepherd alerted authorities to helicopter movements and suspected military presence.
Iraqi forces reportedly moved to investigate the area but came under attack. The confrontation resulted in the death of one Iraqi soldier and injuries to two others.
Lt. Gen. Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, told state media, “This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval.” He also noted that additional units later discovered evidence indicating the presence of foreign military forces operating in the area.
Iraqi authorities condemned the incident at the time, stating that it involved unauthorized foreign military action. A formal complaint was later submitted to the United Nations, attributing responsibility to the US, although US officials denied involvement in the attack.
Strategic significance of desert region
The US has previously conducted strikes in Iraq to protect its personnel and installations in the region.
Security analysts, cited by the WSJ, note that temporary forward-operating positions are sometimes used by military forces in preparation for planned attacks.
Michael Knights, head of research for Horizon Engage, said, “It’s normal that before operations you reconnoiter and set up these kinds of locations.” He added that Iraq’s western desert has historically been used for military operations due to its remote and sparsely populated terrain.
Experts describe Iraq’s western desert as an area frequently used for covert or special operations due to its geography.
Reports suggest that residents have occasionally witnessed unusual military activity, including helicopter movements during the war, while also indicating that Israeli air force operations involved thousands of strikes against Iran.
In early March, Israeli air force commander Tomer Bar reportedly referenced covert activity in a letter to personnel, stating, “These days, fighters from special units of the air force are conducting special missions which could ignite the imagination”.
Bar ended his tenure as Air Force chief in early May.
