Israeli Forces Set Up Desert Camp in Iraq During Iran War, Officials Say
The existence of a secret Israeli military facility in the Iraqi desert has sparked controversy and raised questions about unauthorized military forces.
May 15, 2026 - Bagdad: According to Iraqi and US officials, during the US-Israeli war with Iran, Israeli forces set up a camp in the Nukhaib desert in Iraq.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported this secret base, which houses special forces and serves as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force.The revelation of this base caused an uproar in Iraq.
Iraqi army forces investigated reports of an unauthorized military presence in March.
They came under fire while en route to the location in the Nukhaib desert, located southwest of Karbala and Najaf.
Although Iraqi officials confirmed a small, short-term unauthorized force's presence, they did not confirm it was Israeli.
However, multiple unnamed Iraqi security and intelligence officials as well as a senior US military official claim that the unauthorized force was indeed Israeli.The base is described by the US official as 'temporary staging area or camp to support operations in Iran.' Its purpose, according to an Iraqi intelligence official, was to monitor rocket launches and drone activity conducted by some Iraqi militias.
However, Iraqi authorities dispute this description of the military presence and claim that the force arrived via airdrop operations.The Israeli military and Pentagon have declined to comment on these allegations.
The situation has put Iraqi authorities in an embarrassing position as Iraq hosts Iran-linked militias that have been attacked by US and Israeli forces.In response to the allegations, the Iraqi military sent forces into the desert to investigate the claim of the Israeli outpost.
General Abdul-Amir Yarallah, chief of the general staff of the Iraqi army, stated that they believe it was a small force that stayed for no longer than 48 hours.The Iraqi Defense Ministry also investigated these claims and found no signs of the Israeli force's long-term presence in the area.
However, satellite images analyzed by AP suggest a human-made track at the site, which could be suitable for takeoffs and landings for warplanes.
The nearest town is located about 45 kilometers away from the alleged outpost, far enough to likely not draw much attention.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported this secret base, which houses special forces and serves as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force.The revelation of this base caused an uproar in Iraq.
Iraqi army forces investigated reports of an unauthorized military presence in March.
They came under fire while en route to the location in the Nukhaib desert, located southwest of Karbala and Najaf.
Although Iraqi officials confirmed a small, short-term unauthorized force's presence, they did not confirm it was Israeli.
However, multiple unnamed Iraqi security and intelligence officials as well as a senior US military official claim that the unauthorized force was indeed Israeli.The base is described by the US official as 'temporary staging area or camp to support operations in Iran.' Its purpose, according to an Iraqi intelligence official, was to monitor rocket launches and drone activity conducted by some Iraqi militias.
However, Iraqi authorities dispute this description of the military presence and claim that the force arrived via airdrop operations.The Israeli military and Pentagon have declined to comment on these allegations.
The situation has put Iraqi authorities in an embarrassing position as Iraq hosts Iran-linked militias that have been attacked by US and Israeli forces.In response to the allegations, the Iraqi military sent forces into the desert to investigate the claim of the Israeli outpost.
General Abdul-Amir Yarallah, chief of the general staff of the Iraqi army, stated that they believe it was a small force that stayed for no longer than 48 hours.The Iraqi Defense Ministry also investigated these claims and found no signs of the Israeli force's long-term presence in the area.
However, satellite images analyzed by AP suggest a human-made track at the site, which could be suitable for takeoffs and landings for warplanes.
The nearest town is located about 45 kilometers away from the alleged outpost, far enough to likely not draw much attention.
