Israel reported to have built two secret bases in Iraq

Israel is reported to have built two secret military locations in the western Iraqi desert to support military aggression against Iran, according to The New York Times on Sunday (17/5). Citing officials in Iraq and the region, the report stated that one of the newly revealed locations is part of two secret facilities that Israel has used periodically in Iraq for over a year. Sources indicated that these facilities are used by Israel for air support, refueling, and medical services, and were utilised during a 12-day conflict against Iran in June 2025. One of the locations reportedly came to light after an Iraqi shepherd, named Awad al-Shammari, discovered suspicious military activity near al-Nukhaib last March. Iraqi forces sent to investigate the site were also reportedly attacked, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuries to two others. In early May, The Wall Street Journal also reported that Israel had established secret military sites in the western Iraqi desert to support operations against Iran. Responding to the reports, a senior Iraqi security official told Anadolu that they denied the existence of Israeli military activity in the area and refuted the claims. An Israeli official stated that Iraqi forces did indeed encounter “mysterious” air operations in the al-Nukhaib desert region last March, and that the incident was addressed at the time.