Joint Iraqi forces begin desert sweep after “Israeli base” claims

The Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) on May 12 announced the launch of an operation titled “Imposing Sovereignty” in the desert regions of Najaf and Karbala, following reports of foreign military presence in Iraq’s western desert areas.

The operation will be conducted along four operational axes and includes “carrying out a security sweep extending for a distance of 120 kilometers with the participation of explosives disposal units, intelligence services, and all supporting units,” according to foreign media.

It further stated that the mission “aims to secure the road linking Karbala and the Nukhayb region,” and “the participating forces are conducting search and sweep operations to a depth of up to 70 kilometers.”

The campaign is being carried out under the direction of outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and the supervision of Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Abdul Amir Yarallah.

The development follows reports of suspected foreign military activity in the desert zone between Najaf and Karbala. A report published on May 9 by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that Israel had established a clandestine military outpost in Iraq’s desert shortly before the war with Iran began on February 28, allegedly with US knowledge.

By Jeyhun Aghazada