Israel established and operated a secret military outpost deep in the Iraqi desert, intended to serve as a forward support base for air operations against Iran - and stationed special forces from the Air Force at the outpost, trained to carry out commando operations in an enemy country.
According to a report this evening (Saturday night) in the Wall Street Journal, based on sources familiar with the matter, including officials in the US government, the secret facility was built just before the start of the "Harry's Roar" war with the full knowledge of the United States.
The outpost housed IDF special forces and served as a vital logistics center for the Israeli Air Force, enabling short ranges and rapid response during complex air operations in Iranian territory.
The American sources noted that rescue and search teams were stationed at the post, which would be activated if the Iranians were successful in shooting down Israeli planes.
According to the report, during the war, Iraqi army forces detected suspicious movement in the area and almost exposed the facility, due to a report by a local shepherd who noticed unusual military activity in the area. Including helicopter flights, and the Iraqi army sent soldiers to investigate, but did not reach the site because Israel carried out an airstrike against those Iraqi soldiers, to prevent the outpost from being discovered and to maintain its operational survivability.
Following the attacks, one Iraqi soldier was killed and two were wounded.
Iraq condemned the incident and even filed a complaint with the UN, attributing the military activity to the United States. An American source told the newspaper that the United States was not involved in the clashes.
