Najaf in the news: reports claim covert Israeli bases in Iraq amid regional tensions; city is a holy Shia center and capital of Najaf Governorate (≈1.41M).
Multiple outlets have reported that Israel has established covert military sites in Iraq's western desert to support air operations against Iran. Reports say the installations have hosted special forces, logistics and search-and-rescue teams; Iraqi patrols investigating were struck in early March, killing one soldier and injuring others.