Israel maintained covert military outposts in Iraq's western desert for over a year to support operations against Iran, according to regional officials. The revelation emerged after shepherd Awad al-Shammari discovered one base and was subsequently killed by a helicopter attack, witnesses say.

The Israeli Defense Forces established these temporary facilities as early as late 2024, using them during the June 2025 conflict with Iran. Regional officials indicate the bases provided air support, refueling, and medical capabilities. Iraqi security forces had suspected the presence for months but conducted only remote surveillance.

Washington's knowledge of these operations raises questions about U.S. transparency with Baghdad. Iraqi officials suggest the Pentagon withheld information about Israeli forces operating on Iraqi soil, potentially undermining U.S. efforts to counter Iranian influence. The incident exposes Iraq's limited territorial control amid competing regional alliances.

Growing outrage over the undisclosed bases threatens U.S.-Iraq cooperation and highlights how Iraq remains caught between Washington and Tehran. The shepherd's death and subsequent cover-up reveal the dangerous secrecy surrounding foreign military operations in sovereign territories.