Iraq rejects claims of secret Israeli base on its soil

Iraq denied reports that a covert Israeli military base had been established in its territory, rejecting claims linked to the conflict between Israel and Iran and warning against the spread of what it called false information.

In a statement posted on X, the Iraqi armed forces said inspections conducted by the Joint Operations Command had found “no unauthorised bases or forces” in the desert areas of Karbala and Najaf, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

The military said speculation about a secret foreign installation emerged after clashes on March 5 between Iraqi security forces and what it described as “unidentified, unlicensed detachments.”

Baghdad said it would take legal action against individuals and media outlets accused of spreading “misleading information” and “malicious rumours” that it said harmed Iraq’s sovereignty and the reputation of its security institutions.

The denial followed a report by The Wall Street Journal claiming Israel had established a secret military facility in the Iraqi desert to support air strikes against Iran.

By Aghakazim Guliyev