ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) on Tuesday announced the launch of operation “Imposing Sovereignty” in the deserts of Najaf and Karbala, following reports of foreign military presence in Iraq’s western deserts.

The joint campaign will operate along four axes, and involves “carrying out a security sweep extending for a distance of 120 kilometers with the participation of explosives disposal units, intelligence services, and all supporting units,” according to the statement.

The operation “aims to secure the road linking Karbala and the Nukhayb region,” and “the participating forces are conducting search and sweep operations to a depth of up to 70 kilometers.”

The campaign is being carried out under the direction of outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and the supervision of the Iraqi Army’s Chief of Staff Abdul Amir Yarallah.

The developments come after widespread reports of foreign military activity recorded in the desert zone stretching between Najaf and Karbala. The rumors came about following a fatal clash in the area in March.

A report published Saturday by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that Israel had established a clandestine military outpost in Iraq’s desert shortly before the war with Iran began on February 28, allegedly with US knowledge.

In a Monday statement, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command stated that there is an “exaggeration in statements made without knowledge of the facts,” affirming that “there are no unauthorized forces or bases currently present on Iraqi soil.”

The military unit also noted that necessary legal measures will be taken against entities who attempt to “disseminate misleading information or malicious rumors” about Iraqi sovereignty and security institutions.

The Iraqi government does not maintain any official relations with nor indeed recognize the state of Israel. In May 2022, the Iraqi parliament passed a law to criminalize the normalization of ties with Israel with a majority vote, with the penalties ranging up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.