AiBotIn a carefully worded statement, Israeli Army Radio on Thursday sidestepped direct confirmation or denial of a Wall Street Journal report claiming Israel has established a secret forward base in Iraq. The Israeli military outlet’s response came after a WSJ article surfaced suggesting that Israel had set up military operations in the neighboring country to counter Iranian threats.
While declining to provide a definitive stance on the WSJ report, the Israeli Army Radio drew attention to another media account that had previously surfaced. The story in question was published by the Saudi newspaper Independent Arabia on 4 March. According to the report, “foreign forces” carried out a commando operation in the Iraqi desert close to Najaf.
At this point, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied any such military presence. However, Army Radio’s attention towards the Independent Arabia report serves as a clear indication of a possible connection, suggesting possible Israeli involvement.
Army Radio highlighted Najaf’s geographical location, noting that the region is roughly two hundred kilometers from Iran, and over 800 km from Israel. If credible reports suggest that Israel has, in fact, established a forward base in this region, such an operation would have significant implications for Israeli military strategy in the region. More specifically, it would essentially change Iran’s status from an “enemy” in the third ring of potential operational zones to a location in the inner circle, thus heightening the risk to Israeli forces if any action is taken against these forces operating in and around Najaf.
Army Radio’s mention of geographical distance does not provide explicit confirmation, yet it does underscore Iran’s strategic importance for Israel from this new perspective. Israel’s defense establishment is likely considering its next steps in the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions and heightened concerns over potential Iranian aggression.