The United States and the United Kingdom are reducing the number of personnel stationed at Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, amid heightened regional tensions. Officials informed CBS, the BBC's U.S. partner, that the partial American withdrawal was being undertaken as a "precautionary measure." The BBC confirmed that some UK military personnel are also being removed from the base.
The moves come as U.S. President Donald Trump considers potential action against Iran in response to its crackdown on recent anti-government protests. The U.S. embassy in Doha has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to Al-Udeid air base.
A statement released by the Qatari government acknowledged the reported U.S. measures, stating they were "in response to the current regional tensions."
Adding to the regional unease, the Foreign Office has temporarily closed the British embassy in Tehran, with operations continuing remotely, according to a government spokesperson.
Iran closed its airspace to almost all flights beginning Thursday at 02:45 local time (22:15 GMT), according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's website. The closure, initially slated for two hours, was later extended to 08:00 local time.
Al-Udeid Air Base is a critical hub for U.S. military operations in the region, playing a significant role in air operations against ISIS and in support of broader U.S. military objectives in the Middle East. The base houses personnel from various branches of the U.S. military, as well as coalition partners. The reduction in personnel raises questions about the potential impact on ongoing operations and the future U.S. military posture in the region.
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