Just before the US and Israel launched their war against Iran in February, Tel Aviv reportedly built a clandestine military outpost in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Israel built the outpost housing special forces and serving as a logistics hub for the Israeli air force.
The Iraqi troops almost discovered the outpost in the early days of the Iran war, prompting an Israeli airstrike to keep them away.
The building was reportedly erected with the US's knowledge.
Israel offered help with finding the downed US F-15 Airmen when Iran shot down the jet near Isfahan, using the search and rescue teams already deployed at its said Iraqi base.
The US is said to have rescued the two downed Airmen themselves, the WSJ report added that Israel helped by carrying out airstrikes to help protect the operation.
When the Israeli base in Iraq was almost discovered, Israel kept the Iraqi troops at bay with airstrikes.
The base in Iraq allowed Israel to get closer to the battlefield in Iran.
According to the WSJ report, Israel deployed search-and-rescue teams there to respond more quickly if needed for emergency rescue missions.
Israeli air force special forces, trained to carry out commando operations in enemy territory, were also present on the base.
