News Desk
DOHA: The US and UK are reducing the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar as President Donald Trump considers possible action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests.
Officials described the partial American withdrawal as a “precautionary measure.” Some UK military personnel are also understood to be leaving. A Qatari government statement said the measures were “in response to the current regional tensions.”
Trump has warned that the US would take “very strong action” if Iranian authorities executed protesters. Iran, in turn, has said it will retaliate if attacked. Rights groups say more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in the recent crackdown.
Qatar said it will continue to “implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities.”
Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, hosting around 10,000 US personnel and about 100 UK staff. It is unclear how many will be leaving. A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment on reports of withdrawals, citing “operational security.”
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Trump on Wednesday that the June attack had demonstrated Iran’s ability to respond to any assault. “It would certainly help create a real understanding of Iran’s will and capability to respond to any attack,” Ali Shamkhani wrote on X.
