US issued an evacuation advisory at Al Udeid base in Qatar | Why now?
Washington DC: The United States is cutting the number of personnel at its Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, officials told CBS News, describing the move as a precautionary measure. The Qatar government confirmed the step, citing "current regional tensions" as the reason.
The decision comes after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would take “very strong action” if Iran executes anti-government protesters. Rights groups report that more than 2,400 demonstrators have been killed in Iran’s recent crackdown. Iranian authorities have stated they would retaliate if attacked by the US.
Some personnel stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar have been advised to evacuate by Wednesday evening, a US official told The Associated Press, citing security concerns amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, described the move as a precautionary measure but declined to specify whether it was mandatory or optional, who it affected, or how many individuals were involved, citing operational security.
Qatar confirmed the development, stating that such measures were being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions. The country’s media office said the government continues to prioritise the safety and security of citizens, residents, critical infrastructure and military facilities.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the evacuation advisory, while the US State Department said it had no immediate comment regarding potential security alerts for American diplomats or civilians in Qatar. Previously, in June, the US embassy in Doha had issued a temporary shelter-in-place advisory without ordering evacuations.
The precautionary step comes as anti-government protests continue in Iran and as US President Donald Trump has warned of possible military action if Iranian authorities persist in retaliating against protesters. According to rights groups, the recent crackdown in Iran has resulted in thousands of deaths.
Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts thousands of US service members, was previously targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. At the time, Iranian missiles were launched at the base, with US and Qatari forces intercepting most of them. No casualties were reported, although Qatari officials later confirmed that one missile struck the base.
Iranian officials have recently reiterated warnings against potential US aggression. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, referenced the earlier missile strike on Al Udeid in a social media post, stating it demonstrated Iran’s capacity to respond to any attack.
Diplomatic contacts between Iran and Qatar have continued amid the unrest. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani recently spoke with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who reiterated Qatar’s support for de-escalation and peaceful solutions to maintain regional stability.
Qatar has increasingly found itself affected by wider regional conflicts, including past tensions following Iranian missile strikes and an Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas leadership, highlighting the fragile security environment in the Gulf region.
(With AP inputs)