Israel built two military bases in Iraq before war on Iran: New York Times

"Israeli forces had been preparing the makeshift sites in western Iraq since late 2024, the US newspaper reported. Israel built two covert military outposts in Iraq's western desert in advance of the US-Israel war on Iran, The New York Times has reported. The daily reported on Sunday that Iraqi officials had identified two covert Israeli-operated base in Iraq's western desert, citing an Iraqi official and a lawmaker. It said Israeli forces had been preparing to build one of the makeshift sites since late 2024, citing a regional official."

"Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that one base was established shortly before the war began and operated with the knowledge of the United States. It said the installation housed Israeli special forces and served as a logistical hub for their air operations. It also reportedly included search-and-rescue capabilities for downed pilots. According to the newspaper, Israeli forces launched attacks from the base against Iraqi units that came close to discovering the site in early March."

"Open-source analysts cited by the report identified the suspected location using satellite imagery near Iraq's border with Saudi Arabia. The reports have added to months of conflicting accounts over alleged Israeli activity inside Iraq. On Thursday, Lieutenant-General Qais al-Muhammadawi, Iraq's deputy commander of joint operations, said authorities had received reports of individuals or movement in the Najaf desert near Karbala, about 100km (62 miles) southwest of Baghdad, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency."

"The WSJ also referenced comments made in March by Israel's former air force chief, Major-General Tomer Bar, who said Israeli special forces had carried out extraordinary operations during the conflict with Iran, though he did not specify where. Iraqi officials have publicly denied authorising any foreign military presence in the area. There is no agreement or consent for any force to be present in this lo"

Israeli forces prepared makeshift sites in western Iraq starting in late 2024. Two covert Israeli-operated outposts were reportedly built in Iraq’s western desert in advance of a US-Israel war on Iran. Iraqi officials identified the two bases, citing an Iraqi official and a lawmaker. One outpost was reported to have been established shortly before the war began and to have operated with US knowledge. The installation reportedly housed Israeli special forces and functioned as a logistical hub for air operations, including search-and-rescue capabilities for downed pilots. Israeli attacks from the base were reported against Iraqi units that approached the site in early March. Conflicting accounts of Israeli activity in Iraq have continued, while Iraqi officials publicly denied authorizing any foreign military presence.

Read at www.aljazeera.com