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Iraq Never Knew Its Desert Was Hiding An Israeli Military Base
A shepherd’s tip led to the discovery of a secret Israeli military base in the western Iraqi desert, used to support Israel’s air campaign against Iran. The base reportedly housed special forces and a logistics hub with search-and-rescue teams, triggering Iraqi reactions and a UN complaint attributed to the United States.
Why It Matters
The report underscores covert foreign military activity on Iraqi soil and raises questions about sovereignty, regional security, and the boundaries of external intervention.
Timeline
8 Events
Iraq files UN complaint; US denies involvement
May 2026
Iraq filed a formal complaint with the United Nations attributing the attack to the United States, while a US official told The Wall Street Journal that the US had no involvement in that strike.
Confirmation of secret Israeli base and Iraqi official statement
March 2026
After confirming the secret base’s existence, Lieutenant General Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of the Joint Operations Command, criticized the operation as reckless and noted forces operating beyond Iraqi capabilities.
Iraq conducts further searches; evidence of recent presence found
March 2026
Iraq sent two more units to search the area, returning with evidence confirming that military forces had recently been present there.
Israeli airstrikes to prevent Iraqi reach; casualties reported
March 2026
To prevent Iraqi troops from reaching the site, Israel carried out airstrikes that left one Israeli soldier dead and two injured, according to the report.
Iraq dispatches troops to investigate
March 2026
Following the shepherd’s report, the Iraqi military sent troops to investigate the area for signs of activity or presence of forces.
Shepherd notices unusual activity and low-flying helicopters
March 2026
A local shepherd observed helicopters flying low and unusual military activity in a remote stretch of the western Iraqi desert, signaling a possible hidden operation.
2003: US forces again use western Iraqi desert
2003
The article notes that US forces also used the same western Iraqi desert during the 2003 operations in Iraq.
1991: US forces operate in western Iraqi desert
1991
The western Iraqi desert was used by US forces during operations against Saddam Hussein in 1991, a context referenced in the article as part of the region's historical use for military activity.