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 installation in the Middle East. The partial American withdrawal is being described by officials as a "precautionary measure," according to CBS, the BBC's U.S. partner.
The BBC understands 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.
A statement from the Qatari government acknowledged the reported U.S. measures, stating they were "in response to the current regional tensions."
The U.S. embassy in Doha has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to Al-Udeid air base.
The Foreign Office has also temporarily closed the British embassy in Tehran, with operations now being conducted remotely, according to a government spokesperson.
Adding to regional concerns, Iran closed its airspace to nearly all flights from 02:45 local time (22:15 GMT) on Thursday, 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, housing personnel and equipment vital for air operations and regional security initiatives. The reduction in personnel raises questions about the potential impact on ongoing operations and the overall U.S. strategy in the Middle East. The specific number of personnel being withdrawn by both the U.S. and the UK has not been publicly disclosed.
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