In western Iraq, a local shepherd's observation of low-flying helicopters unveiled a secret Israeli military base, reportedly established to assist Israel's air campaign against Iran. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, this base served as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force and housed special forces and search-and-rescue teams. The base's proximity to Iran, approximately 1,000 miles away, facilitated sustained air operations. In early March, Iraqi state media reported unusual military activity, prompting an investigation by the Iraqi military. To protect the base's secrecy, Israel conducted airstrikes, resulting in one Iraqi soldier's death and two injuries. Following the incident, Lieutenant General Qais Al-Muhammadawi, deputy commander of the Joint Operations Command, condemned the operation as reckless and unauthorized. Iraq subsequently lodged a complaint with the United Nations, blaming the United States for the airstrikes, although US officials denied involvement. The vast and sparsely populated western Iraqi desert has been a favored location for covert military operations, previously utilized by US forces during conflicts with Saddam Hussein.