Israeli Covert Bases in Iraq’s Western Desert Under Scrutiny After Shepherd Killing

Israeli forces operated at least two covert military outposts in Iraq's western desert for well over a year, according to senior Iraqi and regional officials. The previously undisclosed activity came to light following the killing of a Bedouin shepherd in early March, an incident his family believes is directly linked to his discovery of one of the sites.

The shepherd, identified as Awad al-Shammari, 29, was on a routine trip near the town of al-Nukhaib on March 3 when he encountered soldiers, helicopters, and tents clustered around a remote desert landing strip. He reported the sighting to Iraqi regional military authorities. Shortly after, contact with him was lost. Witnesses described a helicopter pursuing and firing upon his pickup truck. His family later found the vehicle burned and riddled with bullets.

Officials stated the base al-Shammari discovered, and a second, previously unreported site elsewhere in the western desert, were used intermittently to support Israeli military operations against Iran. The al-Nukhaib base was reportedly prepared as early as late 2024 and was active during a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, serving as a staging point for air...