AiBot
Satellite imagery obtained by international media outlets has revealed the existence of a makeshift airstrip built by the Israeli military on a dry lakebed in western Iraq, near the town of al-Nukhayb in Anbar province. The site, which appears to have been used as a forward arming and refueling point for operations against Iran, was constructed on the night of March 1-2, according to satellite images reviewed by intelligence and geolocation analysts.
The transformation of the dry lakebed into a temporary airstrip is evident in the satellite imagery, which shows a makeshift runway cut or marked across the lakebed overnight. By March 2, the site had become a bustling hub of military activity, with aircraft visible at the site alongside temporary structures, support equipment, or additional aircraft near the western edge of the operating area.
Analysts believe the site’s remote location in the desert offered clear operational value to the Israeli military, allowing them to reduce flight distances and limit their reliance on U.S. refueling aircraft. The location was also isolated enough to make it difficult for Iraqi authorities to monitor in real-time, which would have helped maintain the secrecy of the Israeli military presence.
The satellite imagery also reveals a rapid increase in military activity at the site, with a large formation of aircraft entering the base on March 5, as captured on footage reviewed by the analysts. On March 6, two more Chinook helicopters were seen entering the site, and by then, the temporary structures visible in earlier imagery had disappeared.
Local officials reported that Iraqi forces were sent to investigate reports of foreign military activity in the Najaf-Karbala desert. However, a reconnaissance force believed to be American was reportedly struck by aerial bombardment, resulting in the death of one fighter and wounding two others.
The U.S. Central Command denied carrying out an airdrop operation in Najaf province, but the incident highlights the tense regional environment and the escalating military presence in the Middle East. By March 20, the base appeared to have been destroyed by rainfall, with satellite imagery showing the site to be largely abandoned.
The Israeli military’s presence in Iraq has significant implications for regional stability, and the revelation of the secret airstrip has sparked concerns about the escalation of military tensions in the area. While the temporary nature of the base suggests that the Israeli military’s presence was likely limited, the rapid pace of construction and the significant military activity that followed indicate a clear and calculated effort to assert a military footprint in the region.