Some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were told to evacuate by Wednesday evening, according to a US official and the Gulf country. This warning comes after President Donald Trump mentioned possible action in the wake of a deadly crackdown on the protesters in Iran.
The decision was influenced by a senior official in Tehran discussing the country's retaliatory attack in June at Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha, Qatar.
'Evacuation is for precaution'
The US official, who requested anonymity to talk about sensitive plans, described the evacuation at the base as a precaution. They noted that similar measures were also being implemented across the region. The official did not provide further details, citing the need for operational security.
They did not clarify whether the evacuation was optional or mandatory, if it involved troops or civilian personnel, or how many people were advised to leave.
The US Embassy in Qatar released a notice early Thursday, stating that it had advised its staff to be more cautious and limit non-essential travel to Al Udeid Air Base. It also recommended that US citizens in Qatar do the same.
In Kuwait, the US embassy ordered a temporary halt for its personnel traveling to several military bases in the small Gulf Arab country due to rising tensions. Kuwait hosts US Army Central, the service's command for the Mideast.
US' actions unclear
The anti-government protests in nearby Iran started in late December. Trump has been stating that he is ready to carry out military actions against Iran if the Tehran government keeps killing and arresting protesters.
A day after Trump expressed his belief that the killings are "significant" and that his administration would "act accordingly", he told reporters that he had been informed in "good authority" that actions against protesters and plans for executions in Iran have halted. However, he did not share many details.
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By Wednesday night, it was still unclear what US' actions would be, if any, against Iran.
Qatar vows safety of its citizens
Meanwhile, Qatar's international media office in a post on X stated, "The State of Qatar continues 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."
The measures at Al Udeid were being "undertaken in response to the current regional tensions", said Qatar.
The base hosts thousands of American service members. Iran targeted it in June in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities.
