Iraqi Army Probes Alleged Israeli Camp, Loses 1 Soldier in Desert Air Attack
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 15
Iraqi Army Probes Alleged Israeli Camp, Loses 1 Soldier in Desert Air Attack
12 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 15
March 4 Iraqi troops investigating reports of a small unauthorized force in the Nukhaib desert came under an aerial attack 25 kilometers from the site, killing one soldier and wounding two, the Defense Ministry said.
Iraqi and U.S. officials told AP the force was Israeli and stayed no longer than 48 hours, using a temporary camp to support operations in Iran and monitor rocket and drone launches by Iran-linked Iraqi militias.
Iraqi commanders said follow-up searches found no sign of a long-term base, and Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah took journalists to the area Tuesday to show only a brief presence was believed.
Airbus DS imagery from March 8 showed a roughly 1.5-kilometer man-made track in the desert about 250 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, consistent with a short-term staging area during the war that began Feb. 28.
Who launched the deadly aerial attack on Iraqi soldiers, and was it a deliberate warning for Baghdad to stay out of the conflict?
With Iran's new leader vowing extreme options, will the recent war lead to regional stability or a far more dangerous and fractured Middle East?
2026 Najaf Incident: Israeli Military Base in Iraq, Airstrikes on Iran, and the Crisis of Iraqi Sovereignty
Overview
In early May 2026, reports revealed that Israel had secretly established a military outpost in Iraq's Najaf desert around March 2026, with the aim of conducting strikes against Iran. This revelation was first reported by Al Araby, citing confirmation from an Iraqi security source. Around the same time, the United States instructed Iraqi forces to stay away from the Najaf desert, citing security concerns, which coincided with the creation of the Israeli outpost. These developments highlight a coordinated effort involving both Israeli and US actions, raising serious questions about Iraq's sovereignty and regional stability.