The United States and the United Kingdom are reducing the number of military personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. This decision comes as US President Donald Trump considers action against Iran over its response to anti-government protests.
Officials told CBS, a US news outlet, that the partial withdrawal of American troops is a safety measure. Some UK military personnel are also being withdrawn.
The Qatari government stated that these actions by the US are a response to rising tensions in the region. Trump has said that the US will take strong action against Iran if the country executes any protesters. In response, Iran has warned it will retaliate if the US attacks.
Human rights groups report that more than 2,400 anti-government protesters have been killed during the recent violent crackdown by Iranian authorities.
The Qatari government has promised to take all necessary steps to keep its citizens and residents safe. This includes protecting important infrastructure and military sites.
Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, hosting about 10,000 US troops and around 100 UK personnel. It is unclear how many will be leaving.
A spokesperson from the UK Ministry of Defence did not comment on the reports of personnel withdrawal, citing operational security.
Iran Warned Trump of Retaliation in Case of Attack
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Donald Trump on Wednesday that a recent attack in June showed Iran’s ability to respond to any attack. Ali Shamkhani said in a post on X, “This will help others understand Iran’s willingness and ability to respond.”
The US Mission to Saudi Arabia has advised its personnel and citizens to be careful and limit non-essential travel to military sites in the region.
The US has threatened to intervene in Iran after the killing of protesters. On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iranian authorities would “pay a big price” for these killings and encouraged people to “keep protesting.” He said Iranian leaders called him, wanting to negotiate, but he claimed the US “may need to act before a meeting.”
Iran’s government accused the US of trying to create a reason for military intervention. The speaker of the Iranian parliament warned that if the US attacks, Israeli and US military and shipping centers in the region would become targets.
The latest protests in Iran started in late December due to the falling currency and rising living costs. The protests quickly grew into demands for political change, presenting a serious challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that it has confirmed the deaths of 2,403 protesters, including 12 children, despite an internet blackout. They also reported that more than 18,434 protesters have been arrested during the unrest.
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