Multiple outlets report that Israel secretly builds and operates covert military bases in western Iraq to support operations against Iran. The New York Times says Israeli forces kept two outposts hidden for months in the Iraqi desert, preparing the sites over a year and using them in operations related to strikes on Iran. It also reports that Iraqi officials later confirm the existence of a second base. Other coverage describes the bases as makeshift sites near an abandoned airstrip built by Saddam Hussein and says Israeli forces position personnel there, including special forces and search-and-rescue teams. Several reports also say airstrikes were carried out during the early phase of the operation, including against Iraqi troops who nearly discovered the facility. France 24 adds that the New York Times reports U.S. knowledge of the bases, citing an Iraqi official and lawmaker who link the bases’ presence to the death of a Bedouin shepherd who alerted authorities. Coverage also states preparations began in late 2024, according to the New York Times’ reporting.