Desert Shepherd Sparks Claims of Hidden Israeli Base in Iraq

The Wall Street Journal, citing US sources, reports Israel secretly established a military base in western Iraq’s Anbar desert last February to provide air cover for operations. The base was allegedly discovered by a shepherd who noticed unusual helicopter activity and gunfire, prompting Iraqi investigations and Israeli strikes that killed one Iraqi soldier. The report comes as Iraq negotiates its balance between the US and Iran, and experts note the vast, sparsely populated desert makes it an attractive setting for covert bases.