Israel has set up a clandestine military outpost in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran and launched airstrikes against Iraqi troops who were on the verge of discovering it, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources familiar with the situation, including US officials.
Israel built the base to house special forces and serve as a logistics hub for the Israeli air force with US input just before the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran, according to the newspaper.
It also included search and rescue teams positioned to assist any downed Israeli pilots, the Journal noted.
The Israeli prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters notes.
The base was nearly discovered in early March after Iraqi state media reported that a local shepherd had reported unusual military activity, including helicopter movements in the area.
Iraqi troops were sent to investigate, but Israeli forces used airstrikes to keep them at bay and prevent discovery of the base, the WSJ wrote.
A complaint was also filed with the United Nations in late March, in which Iraq claimed that the attack involved foreign forces and airstrikes and attributed it to the United States.
A Wall Street Journal source said the United States was not involved in the attack.
