According to a May 9 report in the Wall Street Journal, the Israeli military set up a secret base inside Iraq to support its air campaign against Iran. Israel built the installation, which housed special forces and served as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force, just before the war started with the knowledge of the U.S., the Journal’s sources said. “Search-and-rescue teams were positioned there in case Israeli pilots were downed. None have been. When a U.S. F-15 jet fighter was shot down near Isfahan, Iran, the Israelis offered to help, but U.S. forces managed the rescue of two airmen themselves, one of the people said. Israel did carry out airstrikes to help protect the operation.
“The Israeli base was almost discovered in early March. Iraqi state media said a local shepherd reported unusual military activity in the area, including helicopter flights, and the Iraqi military sent troops to investigate. Israel kept them at bay with airstrikes,” killing one Iraqi soldier
In a complaint lodged later in March with the United Nations, the Journal continued, Iraq said the attack involved foreign forces and airstrikes, attributing it to the U.S. The U.S. wasn’t involved in the attack, the person familiar with the matter said.
