The Iraqi military has denied reports of “unauthorised bases or forces” in the country, specifically in the Karbala desert near the city of Najaf.
In a statement, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command claims that “some are attempting to exploit this incident politically, and there are escalatory statements being made without knowledge of the facts”.
It did confirm an incident on 5 March involving Iraqi security forces and “unidentified, unlicensed detachments supported by aircraft”, but insisted there has been no unauthorised military presence since then.
The Joint Operations Command warned that “the necessary legal measures will be taken against anyone attempting to spread misleading information or malicious rumors that send negative messages about Iraq’s sovereignty, prestige, and the sacrifices of its security institutions”.
It comes following a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials that claimed Israel had set up a “clandestine military outpost” in the Iraqi desert and launched an attack against Iraqi troops earlier in the conflict.
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