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Israel built secret base in Iraqi desert during war with Iran - report

From Jerusalem Post · (5m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Israel reportedly established a secret military base in the Iraqi desert to support airstrikes against Iran during the recent conflict.
  • The base, housing special forces and serving as a logistics hub, was intended to aid downed pilots.
  • The IDF allegedly used airstrikes to deter Iraqi troops who stumbled upon the base, resulting in one Iraqi soldier's death.

The Jerusalem Post reports on a startling revelation from The Wall Street Journal concerning Israel's covert operations during the recent conflict with Iran. According to sources familiar with the matter, including US officials, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) constructed a secret military outpost in a remote area of the Iraqi desert.

Israel built a secret military base in a remote part of the Iraqi desert to support an airstrike in the war against Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Saturday evening.

— The Jerusalem PostReporting on the Wall Street Journal's findings about the secret base.

This clandestine facility served a critical role as a logistics hub and a potential sanctuary for Air Force special forces, particularly in the event pilots were shot down over enemy territory. The base was reportedly established shortly before Operation Roaring Lion commenced in February, underscoring the strategic depth and operational reach of the IDF.

The IDF built the outpost shortly before Operation Roaring Lion began in February. It housed special forces from the Air Force and served as a logistics facility. IDF troops were stationed there in case pilots were shot down over enemy territory.

— Several people familiar with the matter, including top US officialsDescribing the purpose and timing of the secret base to the Wall Street Journal.

The report also details a near-confrontation where Israeli forces allegedly conducted airstrikes against Iraqi troops who had discovered the base. This incident, which resulted in the death of an Iraqi soldier, highlights the volatile nature of the region and the risks involved in such covert operations. While Baghdad condemned the action and filed a complaint with the UN, US officials confirmed their non-involvement, emphasizing the independent nature of this Israeli operation.

One official told the WSJ that the IDF drove the Iraqi military away with airstrikes. One Iraqi soldier was killed in the incident.

— An officialDetailing the confrontation between IDF and Iraqi troops over the discovered base.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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