Israel reportedly established a secret military base in western Iraq during the war against Iran. Several international media outlets reported the claim, citing US government officials and other sources familiar with the matter.
On Feb. 28, Israel, together with the United States, launched Operation “Roaring Lion” — a massive air war against Iran that lasted around 40 days. According to the reports, the secret outpost was built in the Iraqi desert shortly before the operation began. It reportedly served as a forward logistics base for the Air Force and also housed Israeli special forces. Search-and-rescue units were also stationed there in case Israeli pilots were shot down over enemy territory.
Shepherd nearly exposed the base
Another allegation is especially sensitive: According to a Wall Street Journal report, Israeli fighter jets struck Iraqi soldiers after they came dangerously close to the facility in the first days of the war. The incident was reportedly triggered by a shepherd, who on March 4 reported unusual military activity in the desert, prompting Iraqi security forces to be sent to investigate.
The Israeli Air Force allegedly intervened to preserve the secrecy of the site, killing one Iraqi soldier.
The deputy commander of Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Qais al-Muhammadawi, told state television at the time: “It appears that there was a certain force on the ground there, which was supported from the air before the attack and operated beyond the capabilities of our units.”
Baghdad condemned the strikes and later filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council.
Notably, no Israeli aircraft were shot down during the entire offensive. As a result, the rescue teams stationed there were not deployed. However, when an American F-15 was shot down near Isfahan in central Iran on April 3, Israel offered assistance. US forces ultimately rescued the two pilots themselves, though Israel carried out airstrikes to secure the rescue operation.
A delicate situation for Baghdad
Jerusalem has so far neither confirmed nor denied the revelations.
From a security standpoint, such an outpost would be highly sensitive. Western Iraq has for years served as a transit corridor for Iranian weapons shipments and as an operating area for pro-Iranian militias. A covert Israeli presence there would show just how far the conflict had expanded beyond its immediate borders.
For the Iraqi government, the matter is politically explosive. Baghdad officially seeks neutrality between Washington, Tehran and Jerusalem. But the idea that Israeli special forces may have operated for months undetected on Iraqi soil is likely to generate significant domestic pressure.
The revelations show that Israel’s war against Iran extended farther than the world knew at the time.
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