The US and UK are reducing the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, as US President Donald Trump considers whether to take action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests.
Officials have told CBS, the BBC's US partner, that the partial American withdrawal was a 'precautionary measure'. The BBC understands some UK military personnel are also being removed.
A Qatari government statement said the measures reportedly being taken by the US were 'in response to the current regional tensions'.
Trump earlier said the US would take 'very strong action' against Iran if the authorities execute protesters. Iran has said it will retaliate if attacked by the US.
According to rights groups, more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in the recent violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities.
The Qatari government said it would continue 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'.
Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, housing about 10,000 personnel, including around 100 UK staff. The exact number of personnel being withdrawn remains unclear.
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment on reports that UK personnel were being withdrawn 'due to operational security'.
Citing diplomats, the Reuters news agency reported that while some personnel had been told to leave the base, there was no immediate sign of large numbers of troops being bussed out like in the hours before an Iranian strike last year.
A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader warned Trump that the earlier attack demonstrated Iran's response capability and that it would help create an understanding of Iran's determination to retaliate if attacked.
The US Mission to Saudi Arabia has advised its personnel to 'exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region'.
Pursuing the situation further, the US has been threatening intervention in Iran in response to the killings of protesters. Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform that Iranian authorities would 'pay a big price' and encouraged the continuation of protests.
With the Iranian government accusing the US of seeking pretexts for military intervention, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop amidst ongoing protests against the Iranian establishment.
