A new report by The New York Times has claimed that Israel operated two covert military bases in Iraq for more than a year, allegedly using them to support operations targeting Iran.
According to the report, one of the secret installations was located in Iraq’s western desert near al-Nukhaib in Najaf province. The base was reportedly used to assist Israeli military activities, including air support, aircraft refueling, and medical logistics linked to operations against Iran.
Read More: Secret Israeli Base in Iraq Linked to Iran Operations
The report further alleged that a local shepherd, identified as 29-year-old Awad al-Shammari, was killed in March after reportedly discovering and reporting the base to Iraqi authorities. It claimed he was targeted shortly after alerting officials.
Another one: Israel secretly operated at least two military bases in Iraq’s western desert for over a year to support strikes against Iran — without Baghdad’s knowledge.
The US military knew and said nothing.
Source: NYT https://t.co/bAp8OZVknL pic.twitter.com/5J0dXhqezY
— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 17, 2026
A second undisclosed Israeli outpost was also reportedly operating in Iraq’s western desert, according to Iraqi officials cited in the report. Earlier, The Wall Street Journal had separately reported the existence of one Israeli outpost in Iraq.
The report said the covert facilities had reportedly been active before the current regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, and were also used during the June 2025 escalation with Tehran.
Security sources cited in the article claimed the bases helped shorten flight times for Israeli aircraft carrying out missions related to Iran by providing closer operational support.
The revelations have raised questions about Iraq’s internal security and the role of foreign actors operating within its borders. Iraq does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and the presence of alleged Israeli military facilities on Iraqi soil could generate political backlash domestically.
Read More: The volatile Iran-Israel confrontation
The report also suggested Washington may have been aware of the operations, noting that U.S. officials typically inform Baghdad about military activity involving foreign partners on Iraqi territory.
Neither Israeli nor U.S. officials publicly commented on the claims at the time of reporting. Iraqi authorities also did not issue a detailed response regarding the alleged facilities.
The report is likely to intensify scrutiny over regional military operations and Iraq’s balancing act between its relations with the United States and neighboring Iran amid broader Middle East tensions and security concerns.