Israel Built 2 Secret Iraq Bases for Iran Air Campaign, NYT Says
Updated
Updated · Ynetnews · May 18
Israel Built 2 Secret Iraq Bases for Iran Air Campaign, NYT Says
6 articles · Updated · Ynetnews · May 18
Two secret Israeli bases in Iraq were used for air support, refueling and medical treatment during last summer’s 12-day war with Iran, the New York Times reported, citing Iraqi officials.
The facilities were planned in 2024, and U.S. officials had known about one since summer 2025; the report says Washington hid the Israeli presence from Baghdad and pushed Iraq to disable radar.
Iraqi officials said attempts to learn who was operating in the desert were blocked by senior U.S. officers, and Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah was told the force there “is not an American force.”
The report also detailed the death of shepherd Awad al-Shammari, whose family believes he was killed after reporting foreign military activity near the bases.
The disclosures have fueled anger in Baghdad over sovereignty violations, underscoring Iraq’s balancing act between U.S. pressure and Iran’s entrenched influence.
Are Israel's secret bases in Iraq a bold strategic success or a reckless escalation of the war with Iran?
With covert Israeli bases and US economic pressure, is Iraqi sovereignty now just an illusion?
Unveiled: Israeli Military Outposts in Iraq (2025–2026), US Involvement Claims, and the Crisis of Iraqi Sovereignty
Overview
In March 2026, the long-suspected presence of Israeli military outposts in Iraq was thrust into the spotlight after a tragic incident involving shepherd Awad al-Shammari near al-Nukhaib. This discovery, previously hinted at by reports and Iraqi officials, quickly escalated into a crisis marked by deadly clashes and casualties. The incident exposed the covert Israeli operations in Iraq’s western desert, ignited public outrage, and raised urgent questions about Iraqi sovereignty and foreign military activities. The crisis highlighted how hidden military actions can suddenly erupt into national emergencies, forcing Iraq to confront both internal and external challenges to its authority.