IRAQ’S WESTERN DESERT — Israel built two covert military outposts in Iraq's western desert in advance of the US-Israel war on Iran, according to an Iraqi official and a lawmaker who said authorities had identified the bases. One of the installations was established shortly before the war began and operated with the knowledge of the United States.

Preparations for one of the makeshift sites had been under way since late 2024, according to a regional official. The installation housed Israeli special forces and served as a logistical hub for air operations, including search-and-rescue capabilities for downed pilots. Open-source analysts identified the suspected location using satellite imagery near Iraq's border with Saudi Arabia.

Israeli forces launched attacks from the base against Iraqi units that came close to discovering the site in early March. According to the commander of Iraq's Karbala operations, an Israeli military group was detected in the Najaf desert in March and remained in the area for less than 48 hours.

Lieutenant-General Qais al-Muhammadawi, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, said authorities had received reports of individuals or movement in the Najaf desert near Karbala, about 100km southwest of Baghdad. "There is no agreement or consent for any force to be present in this location," he said.

Baghdad privately lodged a protest with Washington in late March over suspected covert military activity, calling it a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. US officials said Washington was not involved in the operation. A senior Iraqi security official denied reports that Israel had established a military base in the desert.

Major-General Tomer Bar, Former Air Force Chief, said Israeli special forces had carried out operations he described as extraordinary during the conflict with Iran, though he did not specify where. Washington has repeatedly urged Baghdad to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq, and US forces carried out strikes against the Popular Mobilisation Forces after attacks on a US diplomatic and logistics facility near Baghdad airport in March.

Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said Tehran would raise the issue with Iraqi authorities. "Israel's behaviour in the region shows that they do not respect any limits or red lines," Baghaei said.