Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a pro-Iranian militia also known as Hashd Shaabi, said on Tuesday it had launched a military “clearing and search operation" in a southern desert area, after a report of an alleged Israeli base inside the country.
The operation, dubbed Imposing Sovereignty, began in the deserts of Najaf and Karbala, the Iraqi state news agency INA reported.
The move follows a report by The Wall Street Journal that Israeli forces had established a “clandestine military outpost” in Najaf to support its air campaign against Iran, and that the base was nearly discovered in early March.
Iraqi authorities on Monday denied the presence of any unauthorized foreign bases or forces on their territory. In a statement, they said Iraqi forces clashed in March with “unidentified unauthorized detachments” supported by aircraft, leaving one security personnel member dead, two injured and a vehicle damaged.
The statement said the units withdrew under air cover. Since then, Iraqi security forces have carried out regular inspections, particularly in desert areas, but have found no evidence of unauthorized bases or forces.
The PMF, which played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State between 2014 and 2017, continues to operate alongside Iraqi security forces. It has reported a series of attacks on its facilities since the United States and Israel began striking Iran in late February.
