Foreign base allegations: Large-scale operation by Iraqi security forces

Debates over a potential secret military base belonging to Israel in the Najaf Desert in southern Iraq have sparked a new crisis in the country. The Iraqi government, which announced that it has been engaged in clashes with unidentified armed groups since March, has made its first official assessment regarding the region.

Baghdad reiterated its stance that "there are currently no foreign bases or forces on Iraqi soil," stating that investigations and operations have confirmed that no foreign military power is stationed in the country.

LARGE-SCALE ‘SECURITY ENFORCEMENT’ OPERATION

Iraqi security forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) launched a comprehensive "sovereignty enforcement operation" on Tuesday in the vast desert region between Najaf and Karbala. Major General Ali al-Hamdani, the PMF commander for the Middle Euphrates region, stated that this operation aims to enhance road security, particularly between Karbala and Nukhayb.

Emphasizing that the operation is being conducted on four main fronts, Hamdani stated, "Our operations are continuing in line with the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces and under the supervision of Chief of General Staff General Abdul Amir Yarallah."

Information provided by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense noted that Chief of General Staff Yarallah personally traveled to the Nukhayb region to inspect security measures on-site.

It was announced that during a clash in the Najaf Desert in March, Iraqi security forces encountered "unidentified and unauthorized armed elements," resulting in the death of one Iraqi security member and the injury of two others. Following the incident, it was reported that Iraqi security forces have been conducting search-and-sweep operations in the area over the past two months but have not encountered any foreign military presence.

Following the allegations, videos and photos circulated on social media purportedly showing Iraqi forces clashing with individuals claimed to be Israeli soldiers. It was also reported that a local shepherd, Awad al-Shammari, noticed "suspicious military activity" and alerted the authorities, which brought the matter to public attention.

In statements attributed to a security official, it was alleged that Israel had been using an airfield abandoned during the Saddam Hussein era as a military base. The same source stated, "There are no forces left in the region now, but equipment may have been left behind."

Sources stating that there is no clear information regarding how long Israeli forces were present or the exact purpose of the base also claimed that the operations were organized in cooperation with the U.S.

AMERICAN SOURCES: WASHINGTON WAS AWARE OF DEVELOPMENTS

According to reports in prominent American media over the weekend, some U.S. officials shared the claim that Israel had established a secret facility to create an "advanced operations base" at a point close to the Iranian border.

It was stated that Israeli special forces and logistical air operations were carried out at this facility, and that U.S. authorities were aware of the developments. Among the allegations is that the base allowed Israel to be positioned close to the field during tensions with Iran and hosted search-and-rescue teams for emergency evacuation operations.

The Israeli side has not yet made any official statement regarding these ongoing debates.

News Source: 12punto