The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Israel secretly established a covert military outpost in Iraq's western desert shortly before the war began on February 28 — with U.S. knowledge — to serve as a logistics hub for Israeli Air Force operations against Iran. The base housed Israeli special forces and search-and-rescue teams. When a local shepherd reported unusual helicopter activity in early March, Iraqi forces investigated — prompting Israeli airstrikes that killed one Iraqi soldier. Iraq initially suspected U.S. involvement, but the WSJ said Washington played no role. Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar later referenced "extraordinary" special forces operations without elaborating. #Israel #Iraq #IranWar #BreakingNews #SecretBase #IsraeliAirForce #MiddleEastCrisis #Exclusivenews #IraqNews #news