Iraq’s parliament is set to summon the defence and interior ministers following reports that Israel established a secret military post inside the country during the war on Iran, reported The New Arab. A parliamentary official reportedly said senior security figures would also be questioned to establish the truth behind the alleged Israeli base.
The Wall Street Journal reported on May 9 that Israel set up a covert outpost in Iraq’s western desert during the conflict with Iran. The site was reportedly used to support air operations and housed special forces units. According to the report, installations were built shortly before the war began in February and were later used during an attack in March on Iraqi troops who had nearly uncovered the site.
Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on May 10 that the Israeli military deployed rescue teams and commando units to the forward position, tasked with extracting downed air crews from inside Iran if necessary.
Open-source intelligence platform Faytuks Network published satellite imagery taken in March that appeared to show a makeshift airstrip on a dried lakebed in Iraq’s western desert. Aircraft and temporary structures were reportedly visible at the site.
On March 4, Iraqi media reported that a soldier was killed during clashes with an unidentified foreign force in the desert between Najaf and Karbala. Iraqi troops had been dispatched to investigate reports of a military airdrop involving several helicopters in the area.
The parliamentary official reportedly said that Iraqi authorities initially believed the force was American and operating under the umbrella of the international coalition. Security sources told several Arab media outlets that there was currently no Israeli presence at the site.
The reports have sparked anger across Iraq, with growing calls for explanations and accountability from the government.
