According to the sources, Israel built the facility shortly before the war began, with U.S. knowledge. It housed special forces and served as a logistics hub for the air force. Rescue teams were also stationed there in case Israeli pilots were shot down. No Israeli pilots were downed during the war.
The Journal said the Israeli base was nearly exposed in early March. Iraqi state media reported that a local shepherd spotted unusual military activity in the area, including helicopter flights, and that the Iraqi army sent forces to investigate. According to one official, Israel drove them away with airstrikes. Iraq’s government condemned the attack at the time, saying an Iraqi soldier was killed.
