Report: Israel Ran Two Covert Bases in Iraq for Operations Targeting Iran

According to a report published today (Sunday) in The New York Times, Israel secretly operated at least two military bases deep in Iraq’s western desert for more than a year, as part of preparations for military operations against Iran. According to the report, which was based on testimony from Iraqi and regional security sources, the facilities served as launch points and logistical support hubs for future military activity.

According to the report, preparations to establish the improvised bases began as early as late 2024, when efforts got underway to identify isolated areas in the Iraqi desert that could serve the Air Force and commando units. One of the main sites was set up in the al-Nukhaib area, a remote location that, according to the report, became a significant operational hub.

At the beginning of March, one of the bases was exposed when a 29-year-old local shepherd, Awad al-Shammari, arrived in the area by chance while traveling. According to the reports, he noticed military forces, tents, and helicopters around an improvised airstrip, and relayed what he saw to Iraq’s regional military command.

Shortly after the report, according to claims by his family, al-Shammari was pursued by a helicopter, shot to death, and his vehicle was set on fire. The incident caused a major uproar in Iraq, both within the security establishment and in the political arena, especially amid the claim that during the period of fighting, Iraq’s radar systems were shut down under U.S. direction in order to protect the movement of American aircraft.

A day later, the Iraqi army sent a reconnaissance force to inspect the area. According to the report, the force came under heavy fire, during which one Iraqi soldier was killed, two additional fighters were wounded, and two vehicles were destroyed in the attack, forcing the unit to withdraw.

Later, according to the sources cited, closed-door talks took place between Iraqi Chief of Staff General Abdul-Amir Yarallah and senior U.S. military officials. In those conversations, the report said, the Americans made clear that “these were not U.S. Army forces.”

In addition, according to the assessment published by the newspaper, the United States concealed the presence of IDF forces on Iraqi territory from Iraq. It was also claimed that Washington compelled Baghdad to shut down its radar systems in order to prevent Iraqi authorities from detecting Israel’s presence.

On March 8, senior Iraqi military officials were summoned to a confidential hearing in parliament. During the discussion, parliament member Hassan Fadam claimed that Israel had established another covert base in the western desert. While, according to the report, the base in al-Nukhaib is no longer active, the status of the second base remains unclear.