Doha: Hundreds of US troops have been pulled out of the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, reported The New York Times, citing anonymous Pentagon sources. The report also highlighted evacuations from Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

According to Anadolu Agency, American forces remain stationed at bases in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. The withdrawal is seen as a precautionary step in response to escalating tensions over a potential US attack on Iran. Tehran is expected to retaliate by targeting American forces in the region.

The US military’s Central Command, responsible for operations in Iran and the surrounding region, has not provided a comment regarding the troop withdrawals. Meanwhile, a letter from the head of Iran’s mission to the UN addressed to the UN secretary-general stated that if Iran were attacked, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would be considered legitimate targets. The letter also emphasized that the United States would bear full responsibility for any unforeseen consequences.

Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East, currently hosts 10,000 troops.