Israel established two covert military outposts in Iraq’s western desert ahead of its conflict with Iran, according to a report by The New York Times citing Iraqi and regional officials.
The report said Israeli forces had spent more than a year preparing at least one of the sites, which was later used during military operations linked to the June 2025 war involving Israel, Iran and the United States.
Iraqi officials told the newspaper that one of the outposts was discovered after a local shepherd reported unusual military activity near al-Nukhaib in Iraq’s western desert.
The report said the shepherd, Awad al-Shammari, was later killed after his vehicle came under helicopter fire.
Israeli military officials declined to comment on the allegations or the reported killing.
According to The New York Times, the first base was used for air support, refueling and medical assistance for Israeli operations directed at Iran.
The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that one installation housed Israeli special forces and operated with the knowledge of the United States.
Open-source analysts cited in the reports identified one suspected location near Iraq’s border with Saudi Arabia using satellite imagery.
Iraqi military officials said local forces had monitored unusual activity in the desert for weeks before the reported discovery.
A reconnaissance mission later came under attack, leaving one Iraqi soldier dead and two others wounded, according to Iraqi authorities.
Senior Iraqi officials said US military counterparts confirmed the force involved was not American, leading Baghdad to conclude it was Israeli.
The revelations have intensified political pressure on Iraq as tensions continue between Washington, Tehran and Israel.
Iraqi officials have publicly denied authorising any foreign military presence on Iraqi territory.
“There is no agreement or consent for any force to be present in this location,” Lieutenant-General Qais al-Muhammadawi said previously.
Iran also criticised the reported operations, accusing Israel of destabilising the region.
“Israel’s behaviour in the region shows that they do not respect any limits or red lines,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.
The status of the second alleged Israeli outpost remains unclear, while Iraqi authorities have yet to formally acknowledge the existence of the bases.