Iraqi Official Denies Israeli Desert Base Reports

A senior Iraqi security official denied reports Sunday that Israel had established a secret military base in the country's western desert to support airstrikes against Iran during the recent conflict. The official, speaking anonymously, described claims of an ongoing Israeli site in the al-Nukhayb desert area as false, while confirming that Iraqi forces confronted unidentified airborne activity there in March.

The reports, based on accounts from unnamed sources including US officials, alleged Israel set up the facility shortly before joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. The site, located between Najaf and Anbar provinces near the Saudi border, reportedly housed Israeli special forces, served as a logistics hub for air operations, and included search-and-rescue teams for potential downed pilots. No Israeli pilots were lost in the five-week campaign, though Israel offered assistance after a US F-15 was shot down near Isfahan, with American forces handling the recovery.

The base nearly surfaced publicly in early March after a shepherd reported suspicious activity, including helicopter movements and armed personnel, prompting Iraqi troops from the Karbala...