Israel set up a secret military outpost in the Iraqi desert to reinforce its airstrike campaign in Iran, and the IDF attacked Iraqi troops to prevent their discovery of the base, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials and other sources.
According to the report, the base was built with U.S. knowledge just before the start of the war with Iran at the end of February. It housed special forces and served as a logistical hub for Israel’s air force. Search-and-rescue teams were positioned at the base in case Israeli pilots were downed, sources said.
After a U.S. F-15 was shot down, Israel offered to help with the rescue effort and conducted airstrikes to help protect the American operation. The base also reportedly housed special air force forces, trained to conduct commando operations in enemy territory.
Haaretz PodcastJewish life in polite Canada has become ‘a horror show of hatred’
play
Haaretz Podcast
Jewish life in polite Canada has become ‘a horror show of hatred’
Volume: 0.5
X1
total– : –time0:00
fast forward15
play
rewind15
In early March, Iraqi state media reported that a local shepherd witnessed unusual military activity in the area, including helicopter flights, and that Iraqi troops were sent to investigate. Israel responded with airstrikes to chase the troops away, and killed one Iraqi soldier, a source familiar with the matter told the Journal. The Iraqi government condemned the attack. The IDF declined to comment.
After the attack, Iraq issued a complaint to the United Nations, attributing the strikes to the United States and saying they involved foreign forces. “This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval,” Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, told state media, adding that two additional soldiers had been wounded.
Related Articles
Iraqi authorities deployed two additional units from the Counter Terrorism Service, which played a key role in the country’s struggle against the Islamic State, for the search and found evidence that military forces were in the area. “It appears there was a certain force on the ground before the strike, supported from the air, operating beyond the capabilities of our units,” Muhammadawi told state media.
Michael Knights, head of research for strategic advisory firm Horizon Engage, said that “it’s normal that before operations you reconnoiter and set up these kinds of locations.” The western desert region of Iraq is vast and sparsely populated, he said, making it an ideal location for temporary outposts. Knights noted that U.S. Special Forces utilized the area in their operations against Saddam Hussein in 1991 and 2003. Residents of the Iraqi desert have witnessed all sorts of military activity over the years, from groups like Islamic State to special operations teams, and have learned to stay away, he said.