The drones that targeted the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant all came from Iraq, the country’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, an indication that Iraqi Shiite militias backed by Iran were likely behind the assault.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but Tehran and its militia proxies have launched drone attacks targeting Gulf Arab states since Israel and the United States began their war against Iran on Feb.
Archiv: Wall Street Journal on 09-05-2026 / New York Times on 17-05-2026: Israel built two secret bases in Iraq beginning late 2024 / West Asia War
Iraq officials confirm second alleged Israeli base in desert
– U.S. reportedly knew of at least one Israeli base since June 2025 but likely withheld information from Iraq.
– Iraq was compelled to shut down its radar to protect U.S. aircraft during both the 12-day war and the 2026 conflict.
– The concealment of Israeli operations intensified scrutiny over Iraq’s sovereignty and coalition transparency.
– Iraqi political figures called for full transparency and stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent foreign intrusion.
Trump says will hold off planned Iran attack after request from Qatari, Saudi and UAE leaders
(3h ago (19:00 GMT)
The US president says he was asked by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan “to hold off on our planned Military attack” on Iran, “which was scheduled for tomorrow”.
Trump said the Gulf leaders had noted “that serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond”.
“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Relations with Iraq
(May 8, 2026)
– At the 2016 NATO Summit, Allied Leaders decided to provide direct support to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Daesh with NATO AWACS surveillance aircraft. They also agreed to provide a training and capacity-building effort within Iraq, at the request of the Iraqi government.
– In May 2017, NATO became a full member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Daesh, in which all individual Allies were already taking part
Iraq denies radar detection of drones that struck Saudi Arabia
Iraqi air defense systems detected no trace of the three drones that struck Saudi facilities, the Foreign Ministry said Monday, announcing an investigation into how the aircraft crossed Iraqi territory undetected.
The ministry called on Riyadh to share relevant intelligence to help establish what happened, while reaffirming Baghdad‘s rejection of any threat to Saudi security or sovereignty.
The secret Israeli bases scandal roiling Iraqi politics
In a deeply embarrassing development for Baghdad, Israel established two forward-operating bases (FOBs) for supporting air campaigns against Iran on federal Iraqi territory in a flagrant violation of Iraq’s already fragile sovereignty.
The Wall Street Journal reported the first base’s existence, in the barren Nukhaib desert southwest of the Shia shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, on 9 May. The New York Times further revealed Sunday that Israel also set up a second base somewhere else in the country’s western desert regions that it operated for over a year and even used during the June 2025 12-day war.
Bundeswehreinsatz gegen den „Islamischen Staat“ wird fortgesetzt
(January 29, 2026)
Vor allem an der Grenze zur irakischen Region Anbar, aber auch in den zwischen Bagdad und Erbil umstrittenen Regionen in Nordirak sei der IS bestrebt, sich Rückzugsräume zu schaffen und erneut territorial Fuß zu fassen. Dabei stelle sich die Terrororganisation in ihren Befehls- und Kampfstrukturen zunehmend dezentral auf. So gelinge es ihr dem hohen Verfolgungsdruck teils auszuweichen.
Völkerrechtliche Grundlage für den Fähigkeitsaufbau der regulären irakischer Streit- und Sicherheitskräfte ist laut Bundesregierung die Zustimmung der irakischen Regierung sowie mehrere Resolutionen des UN-Sicherheitsrates, nach denen vom IS eine Bedrohung für den Weltfrieden und die internationale Sicherheit ausgeht.
Israel‘s secret base in Iraq: what happened in the western desert and why Baghdad couldn‘t respond
(May 16, 2026)
The physical record is not seriously in dispute, and it begins with a shepherd. On March 4, a local herder in the remote desert southwest of Najaf and Karbala reported unusual helicopter activity to military authorities in Najaf. Iraqi forces were dispatched. They came under fire from the air. One soldier was killed, and two were wounded. Baghdad submitted a protest note to the Global Coalition without naming who had fired, and the incident was quietly classified —until the Wall Street Journal named the party responsible on May 9.
In Iraqi Desert, Two Israeli Outposts Were Kept Secret for Months
The presence of an Israeli outpost in Iraq was previously reported by The Wall Street Journal. Iraqi officials told The Times there was another undisclosed second base also in Iraq’s western desert.
The base Mr. al-Shammari came across predated the current war between the United States, Israel and Iran, the regional security officials said, and was used during the 12-day war against Tehran in June 2025.
Israeli forces began preparing to build the makeshift base as far back as late 2024, one of the regional officials said — identifying remote sites from which to operate in future conflicts.
Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones entering from Iraq
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq on Sunday morning.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said the drones were neutralised after crossing into Saudi territory.
Israel built and defended a secret Iran war base in Iraq
An Iraqi government spokesman declined to comment further on the incident or whether it knew of the Israeli base.
Israel Built and Defended a Secret Iran War Base in Iraq
Israel set up a clandestine military outpost in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran and launched airstrikes against Iraqi troops who almost discovered it early in the war, people familiar with the matter including U.S. officials said.