Israel's Secret Iraq Base for Iran War, Alleged Strikes on Iraqi Troops
A Wall Street Journal report reveals Israel secretly established a military base in Iraq's western desert to support its air campaign against Iran. The report claims Israeli forces launched airstrikes against Iraqi troops who nearly discovered the outpost, killing one soldier. The U.S. was reportedly aware of the base, but Iraq was not.
Key Highlights
- Israel built a clandestine base in Iraq's western desert.
- The base supported Israel's air campaign against Iran.
- Israeli forces reportedly struck Iraqi troops near the base.
- One Iraqi soldier was killed, two wounded in the strikes.
- U.S. officials were aware of the base's construction.
- Iraq condemned the strikes, initially blaming the U.S.
A major investigative report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Saturday, May 9, 2026, has revealed that Israel secretly established a clandestine military outpost deep within Iraq's western desert. The base was allegedly built to serve as a critical logistical hub for the Israeli Air Force, supporting its broader aerial campaign against Iran. This revelation has been corroborated by multiple international news outlets, including India Today, The Times of Israel, NDTV, TRT World, The Jerusalem Post, The Straits Times, Arab News, DAWN.COM, Ynet News, Anadolu Ajansı, and Investing.com Canada, all citing the original WSJ report.
According to the WSJ report, which cited U.S. officials and other sources familiar with the matter, the secret installation was constructed shortly before the onset of the US-Israeli war against Iran in late February. Its strategic location in the sparsely populated and vast western desert of Iraq was deemed ideal for a covert military operation, allowing Israeli aircraft and special forces to extend their operational reach against Iranian targets located approximately 1,000 miles away. The base was reportedly utilized by Israeli special forces and also housed search-and-rescue teams, poised to assist any Israeli pilots who might be downed over enemy territory during missions.
A highly contentious aspect of the report details that Israeli forces launched airstrikes against Iraqi troops in early March who were on the verge of discovering the secret outpost. The incident unfolded after a local shepherd reportedly observed unusual military activity, including helicopter flights, in the remote desert area and alerted Iraqi state media. Iraqi troops were subsequently dispatched to investigate. To prevent the exposure of the clandestine base, Israeli forces intervened with airstrikes, resulting in the death of one Iraqi soldier and injuries to two others. This aggressive action successfully deterred Iraqi forces from further investigation, according to the Journal.
Iraq swiftly condemned the attack, initially attributing the airstrikes to the United States. Baghdad released a statement at the time, asserting that the "reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval." The WSJ report, however, clarified that while the U.S. was aware of Israel's construction of the base, American forces were not involved in the subsequent airstrikes on Iraqi troops. The Israeli military has declined to comment on the WSJ's report.
The broader context of this revelation includes statements made in March by then-Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, who spoke of special forces conducting "extraordinary" operations during the conflict with Iran, without providing further details. These remarks are now seen by observers as potentially referencing the covert activities in Iraq. The report highlights the complex and often unacknowledged proxy conflicts and clandestine operations that characterize the volatile geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, with significant implications for regional sovereignty and international relations, particularly involving Israel, Iraq, Iran, and the United States. For an Indian audience, this news underscores the extensive network of security interests and covert actions impacting the stability of a region vital for global energy security and trade routes, with potential cascading effects on international diplomacy and economic stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary claim of the Wall Street Journal report?
The Wall Street Journal report claims that Israel secretly constructed a military base in Iraq's western desert to support its aerial campaign against Iran and that Israeli forces subsequently launched airstrikes against Iraqi troops who nearly discovered the outpost.
Was the Iraqi government aware of Israel's secret base?
No, the report indicates that the base was built without the knowledge or approval of the Iraqi government. Iraqi officials condemned the strikes that occurred near the site.
Did the United States know about Israel's base in Iraq?
Yes, according to the report, the United States was aware of Israel building the installation. However, the WSJ clarified that the U.S. was not involved in the airstrikes on Iraqi troops.
What was the purpose of the secret Israeli base in Iraq?
The base served as a logistics hub for the Israeli Air Force and housed special forces and search-and-rescue teams. Its purpose was to support Israel's air campaign against Iran and to potentially recover downed Israeli pilots.
When did these events reportedly occur?
The base was reportedly established shortly before the US-Israeli war against Iran began in late February 2026. The incident involving Israeli airstrikes on Iraqi troops occurred in early March 2026.