Israel has established a secret military base in Iraq’s desert region to support air attacks against Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Israeli forces have carried out air strikes early in the conflict on Iraqi troops who came close to discovering the site.
According to the newspaper, the outpost was built shortly before the war with the awareness of the United States, but without the knowledge or approval of the Iraqi government.
The base nearly came to light in early March after Iraqi state media reported that a shepherd had observed suspicious military activity, prompting Iraqi troops to investigate.
Israel responded with air strikes to prevent Iraqi forces from reaching the site, an attack the Iraq government condemned after it killed an Iraqi soldier.
“This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval,” Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, told state media.
Israeli forces have used the outpost as a logistics hub for the Israeli air force, while search-and-rescue teams were also reportedly stationed there.
Israel’s military declined to comment on the report.
Regional tensions have sharply escalated since 28 February, triggering Iranian retaliation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire has taken effect on 8 April through Pakistani mediation, though Donald Trump later announced an extension of the truce without setting a deadline.
