U.S. Pulls Personnel from Key Middle East Base As Iran Tensions Spike

The U.S. has taken steps to reduce some personnel at the U.S. airbase in Qatar as President Donald Trump and Iran exchange threats amid deadly anti-Islamic regime protests in the region.

White House officials have told some personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base, in Doha, to evacuate the base by Wednesday night as “a precautionary measure,” CBS reported.

Breaking news: The Pentagon has begun withdrawing some U.S. troops and assets from a key base in Qatar as a precautionary measure while President Trump weighs whether to take military action against Iran, officials said. https://t.co/KSxZmGjcId
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 14, 2026

MORE: New: Trump Doubles Down on His Redline, Signals Imminent Action Against Iranian Regime

The report read:

The U.S. is withdrawing a small number of personnel as a "precautionary measure" from a major U.S. airbase in Qatar, a U.S. official tells CBS News. The step comes amid President Trump's threats to target Iran for killing anti-government protesters in a brutal crackdown.
The Al Udeid airbase in Doha, Qatar, is the forward operating headquarters for U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces across the Middle East. The reduction comes as Iran has already threatened to retaliate against any U.S. military action by targeting U.S. troops.

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Qatar’s International Media Office confirmed the report Wednesday on X:

Statement from the International Media Office of the State of Qatar regarding media reports circulating about the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base.https://t.co/bEFk457xVF pic.twitter.com/oeVHXFNkpO
— Qatar's International Media Office (@IMO_Qatar) January 14, 2026

The statement reads:

With reference to circulating media reports regarding the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base, the International Media Office (IMO) of the State of Qatar states that such measures are being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.
The IMO reaffirms that 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 IMO further notes that should any developments arise, it will be communicated through the official designated channels.

Al Udeid is the largest U.S. base in the Middle East with more than 8,000 troops, CBS noted. It is also home to the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command, whose responsibilities include the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia.

The last time personnel were reduced at the base was during the Summer of 2025, around the same time President Trump authorized the extremely successful Operation Midnight Hammer, the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, the report noted.

This is a developing story. Check back with RedState for continued updates.

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