Israel Operated Secret Desert Base in Iraq, Killed Soldiers Who Discovered It

The revelation that Israel maintained a secret military outpost in Iraq's western desert during its recent conflict with Iran, as reported by the Wall Street Journal citing U.S. officials, is a deeply concerning development. This clandestine operation, allegedly serving as a logistics hub for Israeli air campaigns and a base for potential rescue operations, underscores a pattern of Israeli expansionism that extends far beyond its recognized borders.

“

Israel built a secret military outpost in the vast, sparsely populated western desert region of Iraq.

The incident where Iraqi soldiers stumbled upon this base and were subsequently targeted by an Israeli airstrike, resulting in the death of one soldier, is a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Iraq's official protest to the United Nations, attributing the attack to the U.S., highlights the complex regional dynamics and the potential for misattribution in such covert operations. Israel's refusal to comment on the matter only fuels further speculation and distrust.

“

The base served as a logistics hub for the Israeli Air Force supporting air operations against Iran and also housed search and rescue teams for downed pilots.

This alleged secret base in Iraq is not an isolated incident but rather fits into a broader pattern of Israeli foreign policy under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The push for a 'Greater Israel,' fueled by far-right elements, seeks to reclaim ancient territories mentioned in religious texts, extending Israeli influence from the Sinai Peninsula to the borders of Syria and Iraq. This expansionist agenda, evident in actions in the West Bank, Gaza, southern Lebanon, and Syria, now appears to encompass covert military operations within Iraq.

“

The Iraqi military forces were attacked with airstrikes as they tried to prevent them from approaching the base.

From our perspective at Hankyoreh, this situation is a grave concern. While Western media may focus on the immediate conflict with Iran or the U.S. involvement, the implications of Israel operating a military base on foreign soil without consent, and resorting to lethal force against those who discover it, are profound. It raises serious questions about international law, national sovereignty, and the unchecked ambitions of certain states. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability in international military operations, and the potential for such covert actions to destabilize an already volatile region. The narrative of 'Greater Israel' is not merely a historical aspiration but a policy actively being pursued through increasingly aggressive means.

“

Israel's operation of a secret outpost within Iraq is a violation of international law and a blatant display of Israel's expansionist foreign policy.