NEW YORK, May 17. /TASS/ Israel has been secretary operating two military bases in Iraq for more than a year, The New York Times (NYT) reported, citing sources.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that prior to the armed conflict with Iran, Israel deployed a covert military base to Iraq that served a s logistics hub for its air force. Special operations forces and search and rescue teams were also stationed there in case Israeli aircraft were shot down during combat operations.

According to The New York Times, Israel began preparations to build one of the bases in late 2024. Washington may have concealed from Baghdad the presence of troops from a third country on its territory, the newspaper noted, adding that revealing this information could jeopardize US influence in the country.

In addition, according to the publication, Iraqi troops conducted remote surveillance of the base and later requested additional information from their American counterparts, but received no response. Another unit of the Iraqi army attempted to approach the base but came under fire and was forced to retreat. As a result of the incident, one Iraqi soldier was killed, two were wounded, and two vehicles were blown up, the NYT reported. Later, an unnamed official confirmed the existence of a second base. Its exact location is unknown, but it is known to be located in the desert in the western part of the country.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi government rejects any presence of Israeli bases in the country. The Pentagon refused to comment of this situation but NYT sources think it impossible that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) did not know about these bases.