Doha, Qatar – Three diplomats told Reuters that some personnel at the Al Udeid US air base in Qatar were advised to leave the base by Wednesday evening, January 14, 2026. The base is the largest US base in the Middle East, hosting about 10,000 troops and serving as the headquarters for US Central Command in the region.
Change of status, not evacuation
One diplomat described the move as a “change in posture” rather than a formal US evacuation, and did not provide a specific reason for the change. The US Embassy in Doha did not immediately comment on the report.
Regional context and tensions with Iran
This development comes amid escalating tensions with Iran, as Washington has warned of possible intervention to protect protesters inside Iran during ongoing demonstrations. A senior Iranian official previously stated that Tehran had warned regional states it would target US bases if the United States launched any attack on Iran.
Previous attacks on the base and similar actions
It is worth noting that Iran launched a missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base last year in response to US strikes o nuclear facilities in June 2025.
The current move is similar to previous actions taken by Washington before carrying out airstrikes on Iran, in which some individuals and families were moved from US bases in the Middle East.
