Israel builds and defends secret bases in Iraq to fight Iran: report

Israel built a secret military facility in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran and later conducted airstrikes against Iraqi forces after they approached the site, the Wall Street Journal reported.The report said the secret facility was built shortly before the conflict with Iran began and that the United States had prior knowledge. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched air strikes against the Islamic Republic, triggering a war in the Middle East.The base is said to house Israeli special forces and is a logistics center for air operations against Iran.

The site includes search and rescue teams prepared to provide assistance if an Israeli pilot is shot down while on a mission over Iranian territory, the report said. However, no Israeli pilots were reportedly killed in the battle.The report further stated that after an American F-15 fighter jet was shot down near Isfahan, Iran, Israel offered to assist in the recovery operation, but the US military independently recovered the pilot and weapons systems officer. Israel has reportedly carried out attacks related to ensuring recovery efforts.

How a secret base was almost exposed

The base was left virtually exposed in early March after local shepherds alerted Iraqi authorities to unusual activity in the area, including the movement of helicopters. Iraqi troops were then sent in to investigate.This prompted Israeli airstrikes to prevent Iraqi forces from reaching the facility. Baghdad condemned the incident at the time, saying an Iraqi soldier had been killed.“This reckless operation was carried out without coordination or approval,” Qais Mohammadavi, deputy commander of Iraq’s Joint Operations Command, told state media.Later that month, Iraq filed a complaint with the United Nations, alleging foreign involvement in the attack and initially blaming the United States. However, sources cited in the report deny Washington’s involvement.

Will the United States and Iran restart negotiations?

The report also said that Washington and Tehran may resume negotiations as early as next week in Islamabad, Pakistan, with mediation efforts focused on drafting a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a framework for a month-long negotiating process aimed at easing tensions.An initial 15-day ceasefire came into effect on April 8, but preliminary talks held in Islamabad on April 11 failed to produce a lasting agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump later extended the truce without setting an end date.(with ANI input)