FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel had set up a secret base in the southern Iraqi desert, used in the early stages of its offensive against Iran. According to the American newspaper, the installation was discovered almost immediately after local shepherds reported unusual helicopter movements in an isolated area of the country.
The incident dates back to early March, when Iraqi authorities sent a reconnaissance unit to verify the reports. According to the article, the unit was hit by an airstrike, prompting Baghdad to file an official protest with the UN. At that point, suspicions fell on the United States, as it was believed that it was American forces. However, according to WSJ sources, the base was controlled by Israel.
The article notes that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had set up the operational post near a semi-improvised airstrip in the desert. The facility would be used as a support point for rescue operations in the event of aircraft crashes over Iranian territory, but also for special forces missions across the border.
In addition to the helicopters, members of Israeli special forces were also present in the area. Traces of their presence, according to the newspaper, were later discovered during Iraqi counterterrorism checks.
The specialized account @obretix on the X platform claims to have identified the location of the base about 180 kilometers south of Najaf, in southern Iraq. Satellite images show a makeshift runway in the middle of the desert.
It is not yet clear whether the installation is still operational. Some local sources say the base has been abandoned, while others speak of continued suspicious movement in that sector. The area is considered strategic for covert operations due to its sparse population and relative proximity to Iran.
Senior Israeli officials have hinted in recent weeks that special forces and Mossad have played an active role in operations against Tehran. These statements are interpreted as part of political and psychological pressure on the Iranian regime, but also as an indication of real activities on the ground.
Tehran has long accused Israel of using the territories of neighboring countries for military and intelligence operations. In the past, Iranian suspicions have focused on Azerbaijan and Iraqi Kurdistan, which Iranian authorities consider to be strongholds for Israeli intelligence services.
According to the WSJ, the Iraqi base was not involved in the rescue of two American F-15 pilots shot down in Iran. The newspaper writes that the operation to extract them was carried out exclusively by American forces, although Israel may have provided support with intelligence information.
Lini një Përgjigje