Not just one base: The State of Israel has secretly operated at least two secret military bases in the western desert of Iraq for over a year - which served as launch and support points for military operations against Iran.
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According to a report in the New York Times, based on testimonies from Iraqi and regional security sources, preparations for the establishment of the makeshift bases began as early as late 2024, with the aim of locating isolated locations that would be used by the Air Force and commandos in future operations.
One of these bases - located in the Nuhaib area - was discovered in early March after a 29-year-old local shepherd named Awad al-Shamri stumbled upon the base by chance while traveling.
According to reports from his relatives and commanders in the area, al-Shamri managed to contact the regional Iraqi military headquarters and report the presence of soldiers, tents, and helicopters around an improvised airstrip.
Shortly thereafter, he was shot dead by a helicopter that chased his vehicle and set it on fire.
The dramatic revelation caused a sharp political and security upheaval in Iraq, given the fact that Iraqi radar systems were disabled during periods of fighting led by the United States to protect American aircraft.
A day after the shepherd's report, the Iraqi army dispatched a reconnaissance force to examine the area, but the unit encountered heavy fire, resulting in one Iraqi soldier being killed, two being wounded, and two vehicles being bombed - leading to the force's withdrawal from the scene.
According to the report, in closed talks held by the Iraqi Chief of Staff, General Abdul-Amir Yarallah, with his counterparts in the US military, the Americans confirmed that these were not US military forces, thus reinforcing the understanding in Baghdad that these were Israeli forces.
Following the incident, Iraqi military commanders were summoned to a secret parliamentary hearing on March 8, where MP Hassan Fadam revealed that Israel had established another secret outpost in the Western Desert, information that was later confirmed by another senior Iraqi security official.
Regional officials noted that the bases provided a vital refueling solution, which significantly shortened the ranges for the Air Force's aircraft, and that the base in Nukhayb is no longer active today, while the status of the second outpost remains unknown.
