Israel sent troops to Azerbaijan during Iran war as part of secret network across region, sources say

Israel secretly deployed elite military and intelligence units to Azerbaijan during its war with Iran, operating from bases in southern Azerbaijan near Iran’s northern border, as close as 60 miles from the Iranian city of Tabriz. The forces, including special commando units, carried out intelligence-gathering missions and drone operations, providing Israel with a strategic vantage point to monitor and strike targets in northern Iran. The deployment was part of a larger covert network of military sites across the Middle East and beyond, according to four sources familiar with the matter. These locations included bases in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Somaliland, allowing Israel to extend its operational range along Iran’s southern, western, and northern borders. The Azerbaijani bases were among several dozen troops, including members of Israel’s special operations forces, elite heliborne combat units, and Mossad personnel. The Azerbaijani government rejected claims of using its territory for operations against third countries, stating it ‘firmly rejects unfounded claims.’ Meanwhile, Somaliland provided Israel with another military position, facilitating long-range flights to Iran, following Israel’s formal recognition of the breakaway republic in December. The UAE also hosted an Israeli Iron Dome aerial defense battery, though both Israel and the UAE have denied related reports. In Iraq, Israel maintained two secret facilities for logistics and potential search-and-rescue operations, though Iraq’s military denied unauthorized bases. The covert deployments allowed Israel to sustain repeated strikes across Iran, leveraging bases in countries with varying degrees of official cooperation. CNN confirmed the presence of these bases but noted that comments from Israel, the UAE, and Somaliland were pending.