Israel Built Secret Military Base Inside Iraqi Desert Before Iran Conflict: Report

Last Updated:May 12, 2026, 23:05 IST

Israel secretly set up a US approved base in Iraq's western desert to support air operations, WSJ report claimed. Iraqi forces probing suspicious activity were hit by airstrikes.

Israel allegedly secretly established a military outpost in Iraq’s western desert ahead of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, reports in US media have claimed.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the covert facility was set up with the knowledge of the United States and was used to support Israeli air operations.

The installation reportedly housed Israeli special forces, acted as a logistical centre for the air force, and included search-and-rescue capabilities for pilots in case aircraft were downed during operations.

Israeli Base In Iraq Nearly Exposed In March

The report further claimed that Israeli troops launched strikes from the base against Iraqi forces who came close to uncovering the site in March.

Open-source intelligence analysts reportedly identified the suspected location using satellite imagery near Iraq’s border with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on Thursday, Lieutenant-General Qais al-Muhammadawi said Iraqi authorities had received reports of suspicious “individuals or movement" in the Najaf desert near Karbala. According to Iraq’s state-run news agency INA, Iraqi forces sent three regiments to investigate the area.

“A force of three regiments from the Karbala Operations Command was deployed to investigate. The force came under heavy aerial fire, resulting in the death of one fighter and injuries to two others," he said.

He added that Iraqi forces later searched the area with reinforcements but “found nothing".

The WSJ report also referred to remarks made earlier this year by former Israeli Air Force chief Major-General Tomer Bar, who spoke of “extraordinary" special forces missions during the conflict without revealing locations.

Michael Knights of intelligence firm Horizon Engage said Iraq’s vast western desert was ideal for such covert operations because of its remote terrain and sparse population. “It’s normal that before operations you reconnoitre and set up these kinds of locations," he said.

News world Israel Built Secret Military Base Inside Iraqi Desert Before Iran Conflict: Report

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